Passover 2024 began at sundown on Monday, April 22, 2024, corresponding to the 15th day of Nisan in the Hebrew year 5784. For communities in the Diaspora, the eight-day festival concluded after nightfall on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. In Israel, where the holiday is observed for seven days, it ended on Monday, April 29, 2024. Known as Pesach in Hebrew or the Festival of Freedom, this foundational Jewish holiday commemorates the biblical Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
Understanding the timing and structure of the holiday requires looking at the lunisolar Hebrew calendar, which shifts relative to the Gregorian calendar each year. Because Jewish days begin at sunset, the first Seder meal took place on the night of April 22, with a second Seder held the following evening, April 23, for communities outside of Israel.
Understanding the Hebrew Calendar and Timing
The shifting Gregorian dates for Passover puzzle many observers who follow solar-based calendars. The Hebrew calendar combines lunar months with solar years, requiring periodic intercalary months to keep holidays aligned with their respective seasons—specifically, the spring barley harvest in Israel.
Springtime anchors Passover according to biblical mandates. The holiday always lands on the 15th of Nisan, the first month of the ecclesiastical Hebrew year. Because lunar months run about 29.5 days, a standard 12-month lunar year falls roughly eleven days short of a 365-day solar year. To bridge this gap, the calendar adds a leap month—Adar II—roughly every two to three years. That adjustment prevents Passover from drifting permanently into winter or summer.
The Duration Difference: Israel Versus the Diaspora
Observant Jews often notice a discrepancy in length depending on geographic location. In Israel, Passover lasts for seven days. The first day and the seventh day are strict holy days (Yom Tov) marked by prohibitions against standard labor, similar to Shabbat. The intervening five days are known as Chol ha-Moed, or intermediate days, where everyday tasks are permitted with certain restrictions.
Outside Israel, in what is known as the Diaspora, communities observe an eight-day festival. The first two days and the final two days are full holy days (Yom Tov), while the middle four days are Chol ha-Moed. This ancient rabbinic tradition, established centuries ago to account for possible miscalculations in transmitting monthly calendar announcements from Jerusalem, persists today across North America, Europe, and elsewhere.
Core Traditions and Ritual Practices
Preparation for Passover begins weeks before the first Seder. Households engage in rigorous cleaning to eradicate all chametz—leavened grain products including wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt. Eating, owning, or benefiting from chametz is forbidden throughout the week, replaced entirely by matzah, unleavened flatbread that recalls the hurried departure from Egypt when dough lacked time to rise.
The Seder Plate Architecture
The focal point of the holiday's opening nights is the Seder, a structured ritual meal blending storytelling, prayer, and symbolic foods. Participants follow a guide called the Haggadah, recounting the Exodus narrative from generation to generation. The central Seder plate typically features:
- Maror: Bitter herbs, usually horseradish or romaine lettuce, symbolizing the harsh bitterness of enslavement.
- Karpas: A vegetable, often parsley or boiled potato, dipped in saltwater to represent the tears shed by enslaved Israelites.
- Charoset: A sweet paste made from chopped nuts, apples, wine, and spices, mimicking the mortar used by Israelite builders.
- Zeroa: A roasted bone or beet shank, commemorating the Paschal sacrifice.
- Beitzah: A hard-boiled or roasted egg, signifying festival offerings and the cycle of life.
Common Misconceptions About Passover
Several myths surround the holiday, particularly regarding its dietary laws and historical timeline. A frequent point of confusion involves the prohibition of chametz. People often assume all grains are banned, but rice, corn, and legumes—known collectively as kitniyot—are permitted by many traditions, though Ashkenazi custom historically restricted them during the week.
Another misconception treats Passover as a fixed date on the standard calendar. Because it relies on lunar cycles, it can fall anywhere from late March to mid-April on the Gregorian scale. For example, in 2023 it ran from April 5 to April 13, while in 2025 it spanned April 12 to April 20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Passover start at sundown?
Jewish tradition follows the creation account in Genesis, where "there was evening and there was morning, one day." Consequently, all Jewish holidays and Sabbaths begin at sunset rather than midnight or sunrise.
What is the significance of the Four Questions?
Traditionally sung by the youngest capable participant at the Seder, the Four Questions (Ma Nishtana) highlight how this night differs from all other nights. They prompt an interactive exploration of why we eat matzah, consume bitter herbs, dip foods twice, and recline at the table.
Can you eat regular food after Passover ends?
Yes. Once nightfall marks the conclusion of the final day, normal dietary routines resume immediately, though many communities wait a short interval for bakeries to restock fresh chametz. You can review historical calendar mechanics via Hebcal or consult community resources like Chabad for detailed local sundown times and holiday guides.
