When Does Passover 2022 Start?

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Passover — one of the more important holidays for observant Jews — marks the Jewish people's escape from Egypt under the pharaoh and their return to Israel.

While it traditionally lasts for a week, many Jews, particularly in the United States, mark just the first two nights.

According to a 2013 survey of Jewish Americans by Pew Research Center, 70 percent said they participated in a Seder the previous year, while only 23 percent said they attend religious services at least once a month.

Here's a brief guide to the holiday:

When Does Passover Start?

This year, Passover begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown April 23.

In Judaism, the holidays and every day start at sundown. That comes from the Book of Genesis, where it says that "it was evening and it was morning."

What Exactly is Passover?

If you've seen "The Ten Commandments," you pretty much know the story of Passover. Moses led the Jews out of Egypt and back to Israel. The story includes the 10 plagues and receiving the Ten Commandments.

Isn't There Something About Bread?

The story said when the Jews were rushing to leave Egypt, with the pharaoh's army chasing them, they didn't have time for the bread they made to rise. So, Jews remember that by eating unleavened bread — or matzoh — for the week.

What Happens At The Seder?

The Seder is the traditional meal each night of Passover. During the meal, there is a combination of special readings that tell the story of the Jews' escape from Egypt but there are also special foods used to illustrate parts of the story — bitter herbs, for example.

Are People Gathering In Person This Year?

For the past two years, people in most states were under orders to stay home and limit contact with non-family members. People turned to technology to organize Seders for families who were unable to be together in the same space. Many restrictions have been lifted, but the technology is still there — FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangouts — to unite people even if they can't be in the same room. The Union for Reform Judaism has a website with ways families can enliven their Passover 2022 Seders with digital content.

What Are The Special Readings?

"The Haggadah," which is Hebrew for "the telling," is the story of Passover. It relays the story of life in Egypt, the exodus into the desert and the return to Israel. The Union for Reform Judaism's website has information about choosing a Haggadah for your Seder.

Was the Last Supper A Passover Seder?

Many people believe it was. The Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew all refer to Jesus having a Passover meal with the apostles.

Did All Of This Really Happen?

Depends who you ask, but the historic record has come up short on proof of the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt and their escape. Many historians now consider it to be have been a story that got developed and passed down through generations to help establish a Jewish national identity.

Written by Colin Minor/Patch, with additional reporting by Michael Woyton/Patch.