Southern California Jews To Observe Passover At Sundown

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Passover, the commemoration of the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, begins at sundown.

The holiday brings Jews together for a ritual meal called a Seder, meaning order, featuring six symbolic foods, including matzo, a cracker-like unleavened bread symbolizing the Exodus from ancient Egypt when there was not enough time to let the bread rise.

While Passover rituals vary in different parts of the world, Jews are traditionally not permitted to eat or possess any foods made with wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oats.

The holiday commemorates the time between the Exodus from Egypt on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nissan and the parting of the Red Sea seven days later.

Passover is an entirely home-based ritual observance, which does not require a rabbi. Unlike most Jewish holy days, there is no synagogue service for Passover, although some congregations and other organizations conduct Seders.

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