Pesach Sheni (Second Passover) | History, Significance

 Pesach Sheni (Second Passover)

Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, chairman of the Chabad Jewish Educational Center, prepares matzos and the Seder plate at the beginning of Passover at the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Educational Center Berlin(Getty)

Pesach Sheni, also known as Second Passover, is a minor Jewish holiday that occurs on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which is one month after Passover. Certain Jewish communities observe this holiday because they were unable to offer the Passover sacrifice (korban Pesach) in the Temple on the original Passover date, due to impurity or distance from Jerusalem.

According to the book of Numbers in the Torah, some Israelites were unable to bring the Passover sacrifice in the month of Nisan and asked Moses what they should do. God instructed Moses to establish Pesach Sheni as a second chance for those who missed the first Passover, as described in Numbers 9:6-14.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth piles up freshly baked Matzoth, unleavened bread, at a bakery in Jerusalem(Getty)

Although the Temple no longer exists and the korban Pesach cannot be offered, some Jewish communities still commemorate Pesach Sheni by having a special meal or eating matzah. The holiday symbolizes the idea of second chances and the opportunity to make up for missed opportunities, reminding us that it's never too late to repent, improve, and draw closer to God.

What is the purpose of Second Passover?

Second Passover, or Pesach Sheni, offers individuals who were unable to observe Passover during its designated time in the Jewish calendar a chance to do so one month later. According to Jewish tradition, Passover was originally celebrated by the Israelites in Egypt with a special meal of roasted lamb and unleavened bread, marking their doorposts with lamb's blood to protect their firstborn children from the final plague in Egypt. In modern times, Passover is celebrated for seven or eight days in the Hebrew month of Nissan.

However, there are certain circumstances, such as ritual impurity, travel, or distance from Jerusalem, which may prevent an individual from observing Passover during its designated time. In such cases, the Torah allows for a "second chance" to celebrate Passover on the 14th day of the following Hebrew month, Iyar. Although Second Passover is less widely observed than the original holiday, it is an important part of Jewish tradition and provides an opportunity for individuals to participate in the holiday even if they missed it the first time.

Why are there two nights of Passover?

Passover is usually celebrated on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan, and it lasts for one night. However, in some Jewish communities, Passover is celebrated for two nights, especially those located outside of Israel. This is due to the complexity of the Jewish calendar, which is a lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon, but also takes into account the solar year. To synchronize the two calendars, an additional month called Adar II is added in certain years. This guarantees that the holidays occur at approximately the same time each year in relation to the solar calendar. Nonetheless, some Jewish communities outside of Israel observe Passover for two nights, which is a tradition that dates back to ancient times, when people celebrated holidays for an additional day to account for the uncertainty of the beginning of the new month.

What is the significance of Pesach Sheni?

Pesach Sheni is a Jewish holiday that takes place on the 14th day of Iyar, exactly one month after Passover (Pesach). It commemorates a story from the book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible where a group of Jews were unable to bring the Passover sacrifice at its proper time due to impurity from coming into contact with a corpse. They asked Moses if there was a way for them to participate in the holiday, and God instructed him to institute a new holiday for them one month later.

Pack of matzah or matza and red kosher wine on a vintage background. Jewish Passover holiday composition(Getty)

This holiday offers a second chance for those who were unable to participate in Passover due to unforeseen circumstances. It is celebrated by reflecting on themes of redemption and second chances while eating matzah (unleavened bread). While not a major holiday in modern times, some Jews may choose to commemorate the occasion with a special meal or by reading the relevant biblical passages.

What are the 4 parts of Passover?

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The holiday lasts for seven or eight days and includes several important rituals and traditions. The four parts of Passover are:

Seder: 

The Seder is a ritual feast that takes place on the first two nights of Passover. It is a family gathering that includes the reading of the Haggadah, a book that tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt, and the consumption of symbolic foods such as matzah, bitter herbs, and the Passover lamb (which is no longer consumed in most Jewish communities).

Matzah: 

Matzah is unleavened bread that is eaten during Passover to commemorate the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt. According to tradition, the Israelites did not have time to let their bread rise before leaving, so they baked flat, unleavened bread instead. During Passover, Jews eat matzah instead of bread, and some even avoid all leavened products.

Chametz: 

Chametz is any food that contains leavening agents such as yeast, baking powder, or baking soda. During Passover, Jews are prohibited from eating chametz or even owning it. In preparation for the holiday, many families thoroughly clean their homes to remove any trace of chametz, and some even sell their chametz to non-Jewish neighbors for the duration of the holiday.

Redemption: 

The ultimate goal of Passover is to celebrate the redemption of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The holiday is a time to reflect on the themes of freedom and liberation, and to remember the hardships that the Israelites endured before their deliverance. Passover is also a time to think about the many people around the world who still live in slavery or oppression, and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society.

What are the two parts of Passover?

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, typically consists of two parts:

The first part is the Seder, which is a festive meal held on the first two nights of Passover. During the Seder, the Haggadah (the story of the Exodus from Egypt) is read, and participants eat symbolic foods, such as matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs, and the Passover lamb (which is not eaten in most Jewish communities today). The Seder is a time for families and friends to gather together and retell the story of the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in Egypt.

The second part of Passover is the week-long observance of the holiday, during which Jews avoid eating chametz (leavened bread) and instead eat matzah. The tradition of eating matzah commemorates the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt, when they did not have time to let their bread rise. During Passover, Jews also attend synagogue services, read from the Torah, and participate in other religious rituals and traditions. The goal of Passover is to remember and celebrate the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and to reflect on the themes of freedom and justice that are central to the holiday.

What is the first night of Passover called?

The first night of Passover is called the Seder, which is a special ritual feast that takes place in Jewish homes around the world. The Seder typically involves the retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt, which is recounted in the Haggadah, a special text that is read during the meal. The Seder is usually held on the first two nights of Passover, and it is an opportunity for family and friends to come together and celebrate the holiday. The word "Seder" means "order" in Hebrew, and it refers to the specific order of prayers, blessings, and symbolic foods that are consumed during the meal.

How many nights is Passover?

Passover, also known as Pesach, is a Jewish holiday that typically lasts for eight days. However, the actual celebration of the holiday typically involves two main nights of special observances and meals, which are known as the first and second nights of Passover. These two nights are usually the most significant and widely celebrated parts of the holiday, although Passover traditions and observances continue throughout the entire eight-day period.

What is Passover dinner called?

The Seder is the name given to the Passover dinner. Its name is derived from the Hebrew word "Seder" meaning "order", as the meal is organized in a specific sequence of rituals and symbolic foods that recount the story of the Jewish people's escape from slavery in Egypt. The Seder is typically held during the first two evenings of Passover, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt. The event includes the recitation of prayers, the reading of the Haggadah (a text that narrates the story of the exodus), and the consumption of traditional foods like matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs, and charoset (a sweet mixture of fruit and nuts).