Passover Q&A

Many have the custom to sing various post-Seder songs at the conclusion of the Passover Seder.

The Torah tells us, “For seven days, you shall eat unleavened bread . . .” Do we take that at face value?

Known in Yiddish as a kneidel, the matzo ball has become a staple in many Ashkenazic Jewish homes. Here's why.

I don’t recall ever seeing anything about pajamas in the Haggadah. Am I missing anything?

While this custom is simple enough and pretty universal, its reason is far from elementary.

Universal custom is to wash before eating the karpas vegetable and again before making the hamotzi on the matzah

What is the significance of the Passover holiday taking place around thetime of the full moon?

Is the Afikoman supposed to be such a focus? What are we teaching our kids?

He could have just zapped them, and yet He sends them....frogs?!

I love Pesach. I hate Pesach cleaning.

The primary event commemorated on this Shabbat is a great miracle which occurred on this day . . .

There are multiple reasons and meanings behind the age-old tradition of pouring Elijah a cup of wine and opening the door. Here are some of them.

But first another question: Why were these particular chapters of Psalms (113–118) chosen to express praise and our gratitude to G‑d?

Isn’t there a point in time when we realize that Moshiach isn’t coming? Haven’t we learned our lesson by now?

I don’t get the whole prohibition of kitniyot. I can’t eat rice or peas because they may be mistaken for chametz, yet my local supermarket is selling kosher-for-Passover cakes!

I’ve heard people say that matzah used to be soft. Is this true? And if it is, can I use pita for my matzah?

It’s something we do every year, and it forms a big part of the family Seder tradition. But why do we do it?

The Bible states that Passover is on the 14th of Nissan, yet the Jewish calendar shows Passover starting the following night!

Is there a real reason we are still missing this vital part of the Passover celebration?

The Jews are standing in the shadow of a huge, clearly supernatural pillar of fire. Why are they still afraid?

I’m having lots of guests from very different backgrounds over for the Seder, and I don’t want people to have to stay out too late.

The short and simple answer is that another name for matzah is lechem oni—“poor man's bread” or “bread of poverty.”

Whether or not such wheat will ever be developed, your question is a fascinating one!

Served in chicken soup, matzo balls are dumplings made of matzo meal (ground matzo), egg, oil, water and flavoring

Why do we place a chicken neck on the Seder Plate, and then leave it there uneaten?

If anything, it is quite sweet tasting. So why eat lettuce to commemorate the bitterness of the Egyptian slavery?

Don't wait until you are in the mood to make a positive change. Do it now. Start your exodus today.