The centerpiece of modern Passover celebrations is the seder, a ritual meal commemorating the Israelites' escape from enslavement in Egypt. The dinner involves readings from a manuscript called the Haggadah. The Sarajevo Haggadah, pictured here, is one of the oldest, dating back to the 14th century.
Dear Readers,
In this short and sweet Sincerely Doubt That… blogpost, lets celebrate Passover.
So I am in the kitchen, preparing a traditional Easter treat—a sweet braided bread popular in many Central and Eastern European homes—when a question popped into my head:
Is this somehow related to the Jewish challah?
The two breads are strikingly similar in appearance—both rich, braided loaves often enjoyed on festive occasions. While they come from different religious and cultural traditions, they’ve evolved side by side in regions where Jewish and non-Jewish communities lived in close proximity. It's no surprise that recipes, techniques, and even rituals influenced one another over the centuries.
But while challah is an important part of Shabbat and Jewish holidays, during Passover Jewish people don't eat any leavened or rising doughs—not even challah. Instead, they eat matzoh, a flat, unleavened bread that commemorates the Israelites' hasty escape from Egypt. You can learn more about that tradition below.
The Meaning and Traditions of Passover
Every spring, Jewish communities around the world gather to celebrate Passover (Pesach)—one of the most important and symbolic holidays in the Jewish calendar. Rooted in themes of liberation, memory, and resilience, Passover commemorates the ancient Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt and their journey toward freedom.
The Story Behind Passover
The story of Passover is found in the Book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible. According to the text, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt under a Pharaoh who feared their growing numbers. To control their population, he ordered that every newborn Hebrew boy be killed. One child, however, was hidden by his mother and eventually adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. His name was Moses, and he would grow up to become the leader and liberator of his people.
As an adult, Moses is commanded by God to demand the release of the Israelites. When Pharaoh refuses, Egypt is struck by a series of ten plagues—from rivers turning to blood, to swarms of locusts, to complete darkness. The final and most devastating plague is the death of every Egyptian firstborn.
To protect the Israelites, God instructs them to mark their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb, so that the avenging angel would “pass over” their homes. This moment gives the holiday its name. That night, the Israelites eat a symbolic meal—lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread (matzoh)—before fleeing Egypt in haste, beginning their long journey to freedom.
The Passover Seder
At the heart of modern Passover celebrations is the seder, a ritual meal held on the first night (or the first two nights, depending on tradition). "Seder" means “order,” reflecting the structured sequence of prayers, readings, songs, and symbolic foods that tell the story of the Exodus.
Each element of the seder plate holds meaning:
Bitter herbs (often horseradish or romaine lettuce) symbolize the pain and suffering of slavery.
A roasted shank bone represents the Passover sacrifice.
A hard-boiled egg is often seen as a symbol of mourning or the cycle of life.
Vegetables dipped in saltwater remind participants of the tears shed by the enslaved.
Haroset, a sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and spices, represents the mortar used by the Israelites in forced labor.
Participants eat matzoh three times, drink four cups of wine, and read from the Haggadah, the guidebook of the seder, which includes the retelling of the Exodus story and the asking of the traditional Four Questions.* Children play an important role too, particularly in the search for the afikomen, a hidden piece of matzoh that must be found before the meal can conclude.
Every seder is unique—shaped by family traditions, regional customs, and personal stories—yet all share a common goal: to remember, reflect, and rejoice in freedom.
Passover Around the World
Passover is observed by Jews worldwide, though customs vary depending on geography and denomination.
In Israel, Passover lasts for seven days; outside Israel, it traditionally lasts eight.
Orthodox and Conservative Jews outside of Israel often hold two seders, while Reform Jews and most Israeli Jews typically celebrate with one.
During the entire holiday, many refrain from eating leavened products (known as chametz) to honor the haste in which the Israelites fled, unable to wait for their bread to rise.
Some communities add their own flavors and customs to the seder. Moroccan Jews, for example, might include a symbolic walk around the table with the seder plate to reenact the Exodus. Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) have historically observed Passover with distinct prayers and the consumption of traditional flatbreads. Across all traditions, the heart of the celebration remains: remembrance of a people’s struggle and their journey to liberation.
Yours Sincerely,
BB
* Why is this night different from all other nights?(This is the introductory question that sets up the rest.)
Sources
Jewish Virtual Library – Passover Overview
A comprehensive resource on the history and meaning of Passover.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/passoverMy Jewish Learning – What Is Passover (Pesach)?
An educational article offering a clear breakdown of Passover traditions.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/passover-101/Chabad.org – The Passover Story
Detailed explanation of the Passover story and the rituals involved.
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1731/jewish/The-Passover-Story.htmThe Jewish Museum – Exploring the Seder Plate
A guide to the different elements on the seder plate and their symbolism.
https://thejewishmuseum.org/collection/23228-exploring-the-seder-plateEncyclopaedia Britannica – Passover
A general overview of Passover from a reliable, academic perspective.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/PassoverYIVO Institute for Jewish Research – Bread and Jewish Life in Eastern Europe
An exploration of bread’s role in Jewish life in Eastern Europe, particularly the connection to challah.
https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/BreadTablet Magazine – What’s the Difference Between Challah and Brioche?
An article comparing challah with other festive braided breads from different cultures.
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/food/articles/whats-the-difference-between-challah-and-briocheThe Nosher (via My Jewish Learning) – What Is the Difference Between Challah and Other Braided Breads?
Explores the similarities and differences between Jewish challah and other cultural braided breads, including those eaten during Christian holidays.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/challah-and-other-braided-breads/Serious Eats – How Eastern European Breads Crossed Cultural Lines
A culinary examination of the shared history and evolution of breads like challah and other Eastern European braided breads.
https://www.seriouseats.com/eastern-european-jewish-bread-traditions
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