Passover 2026
David Chelly, January 19, 2026
Passover, or Pesach, commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the Hebrews, a founding story tied to the ideas of freedom and transmission. In 2026, Passover begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 1 and ends at nightfall on Thursday, April 9 in the diaspora, typically lasting seven days in Israel and eight days outside Israel, depending on the tradition followed.
The meaning of the holiday
Passover means "the passing over." The holiday recalls both the historical event and the way it is retold from generation to generation, emphasizing the responsibility to remember, to explain, and to connect this story to questions of dignity and freedom. The Hebrew calendar sets Passover on the 15th of Nisan, in the spring, which explains its varying dates on the civil calendar.
The Seder, the heart of Passover
On the first night, and often the second outside Israel, a ritual meal called the Seder structures the celebration. Participants read the Haggadah, retell the Exodus, ask questions, sing, and follow a precise order that features symbols, notably matzah, bitter herbs, and elements evoking slavery and then liberation. This moment is as much a family service as an act of transmission.
Chametz and matzah
A key marker of Passover is the prohibition of chametz, any food made from fermented or leavened grain, which leads to a specific preparation of the home and meals. Matzah, unleavened bread, becomes the emblematic food, tied to the urgency of the departure from Egypt. Practices vary among families and communities, but the idea remains the same: to concretely live out the story through gestures and food.
Dates and times in 2026
The civil dates give the general framework, but the holiday begins and ends with sunset and nightfall. For an exact local time, it is best to refer to the times for your city published by a synagogue, a community calendar, or a Hebrew calendar, since a few minutes are traditionally added at the beginning and end.