Passover in Israel: The Third Day
Passover, known in Hebrew as Pesach, is one of the most widely observed holidays in Israel. It commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the biblical book of Exodus. The festival begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasts for seven days in Israel. The third day falls on 17 Nisan and is one of the intermediate days of the festival, known as Chol HaMoed.
What the Third Day Means
In Israel, the first and seventh days of Passover are full public holidays, while the intervening days, including the third day, are Chol HaMoed, or the "weekdays of the festival." These intermediate days are observed as semi-holidays: work and commerce are generally permitted, but the festive character of Passover is maintained through special prayers, family gatherings, and leisure activities.
The third day carries no single, distinct ritual of its own in mainstream Jewish practice. Instead, it is part of the continuous celebration of the festival, with the same daily synagogue prayers and Torah readings that characterize Chol HaMoed. Its significance lies in the ongoing observance of the holiday and in the fact that it typically falls during the height of the Israeli vacation period.
Origins and Religious Framework
The origins of Passover lie in the Exodus narrative, in which God brought the Israelites out of Egypt after ten plagues. The name Pesach refers to the paschal offering, the lamb sacrificed on the eve of the Exodus, whose blood marked the doorposts of Israelite homes so that the plague of the firstborn would "pass over" them.
After the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, the sacrificial rites of Passover could no longer be performed, and the holiday's observance shifted toward the home-based Seder and synagogue prayer. In Israel, the biblical injunction to observe the festival for seven days is followed, in contrast to the eight days observed in many Jewish communities outside Israel.
Customs and Traditions
- The Seder: The Passover Seder, held on the first night of the festival in Israel, is the central ritual. It includes the reading of the Haggadah, the telling of the Exodus story, the eating of symbolic foods, and the drinking of four cups of wine.
- Chol HaMoed prayers: On the third day, synagogues hold special festival services, including the recitation of Hallel, a collection of psalms of praise, and a Torah reading appropriate to the day.
- Prohibition of leaven: Throughout Passover, including the third day, observant Jews abstain from chametz, any food containing leavened grain. Homes are thoroughly cleaned before the holiday, and only kosher-for-Passover food is eaten.
- Family gatherings: The intermediate days are a time for extended family meals, visits, and shared leisure, with matzah and other Passover foods central to the table.
Food and Drink
Passover cuisine in Israel centers on matzah, the unleavened bread eaten in remembrance of the haste of the Exodus. Traditional foods include matzah ball soup, gefilte fish, and various dishes made with matzah meal. Many Israeli households of different backgrounds prepare their own Passover specialties, reflecting the country's diverse Jewish communities. Wine plays a prominent role, particularly at the Seder, where four cups are traditionally drunk.
Religious and Civic Observances
In Israel, Passover is a national holiday, and the first and seventh days are official days of rest. The third day, as Chol HaMoed, is a regular working day for many, but schools are closed for the entire festival period, and many workplaces operate on reduced schedules or close entirely. The Chief Rabbinate and local rabbinical authorities oversee kosher-for-Passover certification, and public institutions observe the holiday's dietary restrictions.
The Israel Defense Forces and other national institutions mark the festival with appropriate ceremonies and leave arrangements, and the President and Prime Minister typically issue greetings to the public.
Public Festivities
Chol HaMoed, including the third day, is a peak time for domestic tourism in Israel. Families take advantage of the school break to travel, hike, and visit national parks and nature reserves, which often host special Passover programming. Museums, zoos, and other attractions offer holiday events, and many municipalities organize festivals, street performances, and children's activities.
The intermediate days are also a popular time for the traditional Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem, echoing the biblical commandment to appear before God in Jerusalem three times a year. Although the Temple no longer stands, many Israelis visit the city during the festival, and the Western Wall and other holy sites see increased attendance.
Regional Variations
Observance and atmosphere can vary across Israel. In Jerusalem, the festival has a particularly intense religious character, with large numbers of visitors and heightened attention to kosher-for-Passover standards. In Tel Aviv and other coastal cities, the emphasis tends to be more on leisure, with beaches, cafes, and entertainment venues drawing crowds, though many establishments maintain Passover dietary rules.
In the north, including the Galilee and Golan Heights, the intermediate days are popular for nature hikes and visits to historical and archaeological sites. In the south, the Negev and Eilat offer warm-weather resorts and desert activities. Across all regions, the common thread is the combination of religious observance and widespread public vacationing that defines Passover in Israel.
Summary
The third day of Passover in Israel is part of Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days of the festival. It is marked by continued synagogue prayer, strict observance of Passover dietary laws, family gatherings, and extensive domestic tourism. While it lacks a unique ritual of its own, it embodies the dual character of Passover in Israel: a deeply religious festival and a national vacation period, observed with regional variations from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv and from the Galilee to the Negev.