Passover calendar for 2013

The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, so the dates on an American calendar vary from year to year.

In 2013, Passover begins on the evening of Monday, March 25, 2013 at nightfall, and ends after nightfall on the evening of Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

According to traditional Judaism, the first two days and last two days are full-fledged holidays.   We wish each other Passover greetings such as “Happy Passover” or “Chag Sameach” (Happy Holidays) we can also say Happy Passover in Hebrew, which would be “Chag Pesach Sameach.”  Holiday candles are lit at night, and Kiddush – the blessing over the wine- and sumptuous holiday meals are enjoyed on both nights and days. We don’t go to work, drive, write or switch on or off electric devices. We are permitted to cook and to carry outdoors.  Traditional (Orthodox and most Conservative) Jews usually have a Seder, during which we read the story of Exodus from special books called Haggadot (Hagaddahs), on both the first and second nights, but some more liberal or modern Reform Jews, and some Jews in Israel, only have a seder on the first night.  Of course, your seder will be more fun when you add the Passover Bingo Game to it!

The middle four days are called chol hamoed, semi-festive “intermediate days,” when most forms of work are permitted.