Passover 2024 begins at sunset on Monday, amid a difficult time for Jews and Israel

Passover, the commemoration of the Old Testament story of the liberation of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, begins at sunset on Monday, April 22, 2024.

It is the third of the three major Abrahamic religious holidays celebrated this year. Easter Sunday was celebrated on March 31 and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan ended on April 9.

According to the Book of Exodus, God brought ten plagues to the land of Egypt, which ultimately convinced Pharaoh to agree to Moses’ demand: “Let my people go.”

Jews in San Diego gather Monday evening for a ritual meal called a Seder, which means order. It contains six symbolic foods, including matzah, a cracker-like unleavened bread that symbolizes the hasty exodus from ancient Egypt, when there was not enough time for the bread to rise.

During the Seder, people drink four cups of wine, symbolizing the promises God made to the Israelites, including liberation from slavery.

It is the first Passover since Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7, which plunged Israel into war. Many families will place an empty chair at the seder table in honor of the hostages held in Gaza.