When it comes to holidays, there are a number that one can choose to celebrate. A person can get lost in the rush of so many different things to celebrate: love, gift-giving, even driving the snakes out of Ireland. But a holiday should be defined by its true meaning – few of which carry the weight of Passover, or Pesach.

History

Before we can appreciate or find out what the Passover meaning is, we have to start with a history lesson. Hooray! The story begins back in the Biblical book of Genesis with a boy named Joseph. Unlike parents today, who guarantee their child that they don’t have any favorites, Joseph’s father was very open to his children that he loved Joesph more than them. Obviously this led to Joseph’s siblings selling him into slavery in Egypt. Eventually, by the power of God, Joseph was able to earn his way out of slavery, and into a position of power in the government. Then, when famine hit his homeland, Joseph – being the best brother around – brought all of his family down to Egypt, where he had prepared for this particular predicament. Fast-forward a number of years, and the future Pharoah of Egypt decides to repay Joseph’s kind actions of saving his people by enslaving all of the Israelites. Not necessarily the nicest move.

What Was Passed Over?

When the Israelites were all cooped up in Egypt, eventually a leader rose among them, with the power of God on his side, and decided it was time for those people to get out of town. This leader was Moses, an Israelite who had been raised by Egyptian royalty. While this should have set up their exit, or Exodus, pretty smoothly, strangely the opposite happened, and Moses found it difficult to convince Pharoah to let them leave. So, the Israelites turned to the solution that will always work. Plagues. While a few were mildly aggravating – like mass amounts of frogs – others were devastating. The culmination of these plagues was the death of the firstborn son of families. However, through the grace of God, Moses informed the Israelites that if they put lamb’s blood above their door, then the Lord would pass over their household, sparing the firstborn.

So What Does It Mean?

What does this history tell us about the Passover meaning? It isn’t a holiday that is just about the spirit of remembrance or eating delicious bread. The Passover reminds us of the grace of God and the spirit of forgiveness that he gives. The matzah may seem meager, but it’s eaten gladly with the reminder of how Isreal trusted God for food as they wandered the desert. The maror may be bitter, but that serves to remind of the bitterness of slavery, and the glory of the rescue of the slaves. Truly the Passover is such an important holiday, as in it we remember the direct glory of God and his promises.