Passover (Pesach) in Israel
Passover, or Pesach, begins on 15 Nisan and lasts seven days in Israel. Its first and last days are legal holidays, while the days between them, known as Chol HaMoed, are generally working days.[1][2]
Meaning and calendar
Passover recalls the Exodus from Egypt and is one of the Jewish pilgrimage festivals associated in ancient times with Jerusalem and the Temple. Its date follows the Hebrew calendar, so it moves across March and April on the Gregorian calendar.[2]
The festival runs from 15 through 21 Nisan. In Israel, the first and seventh days are the official holiday days; the intervening days are Chol HaMoed. The start and end follow the Hebrew calendar rather than a fixed Gregorian date.[1][2]
The Seder and Passover food
The Seder is held on the first night. At this meal, participants read from the Haggadah, retell the Exodus story and eat matzah, unleavened bread associated with the departure from Egypt. These customs connect the holiday’s story with a shared meal and ritual.[2]
Chametz, leavened food, is avoided during Passover by observant Jews. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel provides a service for selling chametz and says it should be kept in closed, marked places until after the holiday.[3]
Work and everyday schedules
The first and seventh days of Passover are legal holidays in Israel. The Ministry of Labor guide describes the intermediate days as generally regular workdays, although some workplaces shorten the day or close; collective agreements may also allow optional leave on those days.[1]
Holiday leave depends on the worker’s circumstances. Ministry guidance says non-Jewish employees may choose Jewish holidays or holidays of their own religion, with the choice coordinated with the employer. The holiday does not replace the usual weekly rest day unless it falls on that day.[4]
Because the first and last days are legal holidays and opening arrangements vary between businesses and services, check directly with any office, bank, shop or transport provider you plan to use.[1]
A holiday rooted in the Exodus
Passover’s central story is the Israelites’ departure from slavery in Egypt. In Israel, the seven-day observance and its association with pilgrimage to Jerusalem give the holiday both a religious meaning and a connection to the country’s Jewish history.[2]
Passover in Israel: questions and answers
When does Passover begin?
It begins on 15 Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, so its Gregorian date changes from year to year and usually falls in March or April.[2]
Is Passover a public holiday in Israel?
The first and seventh days are legal holidays. The intervening days are generally working days, though some workplaces shorten hours or close.[1]
Do all employees get the same holiday leave?
Not necessarily. Ministry guidance says non-Jewish employees may select Jewish holidays or holidays of their religion, coordinating the choice with their employer.[4]
What should visitors expect to be open?
Opening hours can vary by business and service. Check with the specific office, bank, shop or transport provider before making plans.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Passover (Pesach) in Israel:
- Employment- Ministry of Labor, State of Israel
- Holidays In Israel - English- Ministry of Tourism, State of Israel
- Sell your chametz online- Chief Rabbinate of Israel
- Payment for work on holidays - the Commissioner of Foreign Workers' labor Rights- Commissioner of Foreign Workers' Labor Rights, State of Israel