Passover’s Thursday or Friday Dilemma- Decoding the Jewish Holiday’s Exact Date
Was Passover on Thursday or Friday? This question has intrigued many for centuries, as it revolves around the significance of the Jewish holiday of Passover. The celebration commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and its observance is marked by a series of rituals and dietary restrictions. The answer to whether Passover falls on Thursday or Friday lies in understanding the Jewish calendar and the practices of the holiday itself.
The Jewish calendar is a lunar-based system, which means that it is based on the phases of the moon. As a result, the dates of Jewish holidays can vary from year to year, as they are determined by the new moon. Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar, and its celebration is rooted in the biblical story of the Exodus.
According to the biblical account, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years. God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the final plague, the death of the firstborn sons. In response, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites leave Egypt. However, to ensure that the Israelites did not return to Egypt, God instructed Moses to tell the people to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, so that the angel of death would pass over their homes.
The night before the Exodus, the Israelites celebrated the first Passover meal, which is now commemorated during the Seder, a ritualistic dinner that includes the reading of the Haggadah, a text that recounts the story of the Exodus. The Seder is traditionally held on the first two nights of Passover, which can occur on different days of the week depending on the Jewish calendar.
So, was Passover on Thursday or Friday? The answer lies in the Jewish calendar and the practices of the holiday. Passover is observed for seven days, with the first two nights being the Seder. The specific day of the week on which Passover begins is determined by the new moon, which can fall on any day of the week. As a result, Passover can either start on Thursday or Friday, depending on the year and the lunar cycle.
In some years, Passover begins on Thursday, as it did in 2021. In other years, it may start on Friday, as it did in 2020. The key to determining the exact date of Passover is to consult the Jewish calendar, which takes into account the lunar cycle and the practices of the holiday. By understanding the significance of Passover and the Jewish calendar, we can appreciate the beauty and complexity of this ancient holiday, which continues to be celebrated by Jews around the world.
