Passover plays an important part in the Christian religion.

Christians believe it is likely that Jesus was celebrating the Passover Meal at the event now known as the Last Supper, which Christians remember on ‘Maundy Thursday’ (remembered this year on April 2). However, it has an even more important place in the Jewish religion. Passover, or Pesach, is a moveable feast, like Easter, depending on the Moon’s phases, and this year it occurs on April 4.

Pesach remembers the story of the Exodus, in which the Hebrews were freed from slavery in Egypt, as outlined in the Torah, and the Old Testament. Pharaoh, as the Kings were called then, was frightened that the Hebrews, as they were called, would become so numerous that they would swamp the local population, so he decided that in the future every male baby that was born should be killed.

One such baby, called Moses, was saved and secretly brought up by the daughter of the Pharaoh who found him floating in the river Nile in a basket and had taken pity on him. He grew up in the Royal Court and when he was a young man decided that he did not like to see the Hebrews being so mistreated. He felt, in any case, that he was one of them, which of course he was.

By another series of adventures he eventually managed to persuade Pharaoh to allow the Hebrews to leave. It had not been easy as every time he had persuaded the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go he had changed his mind at the last minute. With the help of God Moses had let loose a plague on the Egyptians, like grasshoppers, rivers turning to blood, cattle getting dreadful sores – ten of these plagues in all until after the last one Pharaoh finally relented.

When Moses got the release word from Pharaoh he quickly told the Hebrews to leave, lock, stock and barrel. They were now in such a hurry to leave that they did not have time to wait for their bread that they were baking to rise.

During the story, Moses keeps saying to the Pharaoh, ‘Let my People Go’, which has become a phrase used in literature and music, including a Negro spiritual song, sung in the fight against slavery in America. This idea of being free as opposed to slaves is of great importance to Jews who know only too well what it is like to be persecuted. It is only seventy years ago that Jews were pitifully persecuted in the Holocaust.

The evening before is the Seder night, when traditionally families get together for a special meal called the Seder. Seder is the Hebrew word for ‘order’, i.e. order of service. The table is set with the finest china and silverware to reflect the importance of the meal. During this meal, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is retold using a special text called the Haggadah.

Each part of the meal is symbolic – for example, the family eat bread that has not risen to commemorate that the Hebrews were in such a hurry to leave that they could not wait for their bread to rise. Children have a special place in the seder.

They are encouraged to search for the afikoman, the piece of matzo unleavened bread) which is the last thing eaten at the seder. Audience participation and interaction is encouraged, and many families' seders last long into the night with animated discussions, singing, and joyful celebration.

Rudi Leavor Chairman of the Bradford Synagogue