09 Days Long Jewish Festival “Passover” Begins.

April 2026: Passover (Pesach) is a major Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, celebrated for seven or eight days in spring (Nissan 15–21/22). It is characterized by the prohibition of leavened food (chametz), the eating of unleavened bread (matzah), and the Seder meal where the story of freedom is retold.

Passover celebrates freedom and the “passing over” of Jewish homes during the tenth plague in Egypt. This year, Passover begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 01st, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, April 09th.

A ritual-packed family meal on the first two nights, following a guide called the Haggadah. However, no chametz (leavened grain products) is consumed, owning or benefiting from it is forbidden, and homes are thoroughly cleaned. The Jewish communities would largely feed on Matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs (maror), and saltwater are consumed to recall the pain of slavery and haste of departure.

Strictly No Chametz; To commemorate the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt, we don’t eat—or even retain in our possession—any chametz from midday of the day before Passover until the conclusion of the holiday. Chametz means leavened grain—any food or drink that contains even a trace of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives, and which wasn’t guarded from leavening or fermentation. This includes bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pasta, and most alcoholic beverages. Moreover, almost any processed food or drink can be assumed to be chametz unless certified otherwise.

Ridding own homes of chametz is an intensive process. It involves a full-out spring-cleaning search-and-destroy mission during the weeks before Passover, and culminates with a ceremonial search for chametz on the night before Passover, and then a burning of the chametz ceremony on the morning before the holiday. Chametz that cannot be disposed of can be sold to a non-Jew (and bought back after the holiday).

Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney in an official press note today early morning {IST; 01st April (local time)} has wished the Jewish Communities:

“Tonight, at sundown, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will mark the beginning of Passover. Passover commemorates the exodus of the Israelites after centuries of enslavement in ancient Egypt. It is a story of faith and perseverance, and a testament to the resilience of a people who overcame immense hardship on their journey to freedom. That resilience is being called upon as Jewish communities confront a devastating and unacceptable resurgence of antisemitism, as well as threats or attacks on synagogues, schools, and community centres. Our government has taken action by introducing the Combatting Hate Act, which will make it a criminal offence to intentionally and wilfully obstruct access to places of worship, schools, and religious or cultural community centres. Together, we will continue to build a country where Jewish Canadians can always live openly, freely, and safely”.

The Prime Minister has further reiterated that: “In a more dangerous and divided world, the meaning of Passover resonates even more deeply. It reminds us of the unbreakable bond between the Jewish people that has endured for generations. Over the next eight days, Jewish Canadians will gather to honour that shared history and celebrate the resilience that continues to unite them.

Chag Pesach Sameach.

Happy Passover”.

Team Maverick.