What is Passover in a nutshell?

Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is celebrated for seven or eight days (depending on the Jewish community) beginning on the 15th of Nisan, which typically falls in March or April. During Passover, it is traditional to abstain from eating leavened bread (chametz) and to eat unleavened bread (matzah) instead. This is meant to symbolize the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt and did not have time to let their bread rise. Passover is also marked by the Seder, a ritual meal that retells the story of the exodus from Egypt and includes the recitation of the Haggadah, a text that recounts the story of the Israelites’ enslavement and liberation. Additionally, Passover is a time for celebrating freedom and renewal, and for reflecting on the themes of redemption and liberation.