ST. LOUIS – Passover is the most observed Jewish holiday in the country. It commences with the Seder, a cherished gathering often shared with loved ones. Several gathered in St. Charles to celebrate in a rabbi’s backyard Monday night.
“There are about 6,000 Jews in the county, and people want to celebrate! And to have this in my backyard, it’s a privilege and it’s an honor,” Rabbi Chaim Landa, co-director of Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County, said.
The holiday, spans over eight days, commemorating the Israelites liberation from slavery in Egypt following years of oppression.
“It’s also a celebration of our personal liberation, each and every day. Our freedoms that we have. I’m holding a matzah; it’s a bread of faith,” Landa said.
Passover traditions include the Seder meal, observed on the first two nights of the holiday, the consumption of Matzah instead of leavened bread, drinking four cups of wine, partaking in bitter herbs, symbolizing slavery’s bitterness, and fasting.
Passover is a time of joy, but with over 129 hostages being held in Gaza and the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people, this year’s Passover comes with a different feeling than usual.
Two Passover Seders will be hosted Tuesday night at Washington University, offering participants an opportunity to partake in this cherished tradition. For more event details, click here.
