Passover, or Pesach, is one of the most cherished holidays in Judaism, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery. Observed in the spring, it spans eight days (seven in Israel) and centers on the Seder—a ritual meal rich with symbolism, storytelling from the Haggadah, and foods like matzah (unleavened bread), bitter herbs, and charoset. While the core elements remain universal, Jewish communities worldwide infuse Passover with local flavors, historical influences, and creative adaptations, reflecting their unique cultural tapestries.

Ashkenazi Traditions: Eastern European Roots

Ashkenazi Jews, primarily from Central and Eastern Europe and their descendants in the United States and Israel, follow customs shaped by medieval rabbinic decrees. A hallmark is the avoidance of gebrochts—matzah that has come into contact with water, believed by some to risk leavening. This leads to dry matzah balls or careful Seder plate handling.

Charoset, a sweet paste symbolizing the mortar of slavery, is made with apples, walnuts, wine, and cinnamon, evoking the soil of the Holy Land. In America, elaborate Seders often include an afikoman hunt for children, with the hidden matzah piece ransomed for prizes. During the Four Questions, younger participants lead, emphasizing education.

Sephardi and Mizrahi Innovations: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Flair

Sephardi Jews (from Spain, Portugal, and their diaspora) and Mizrahi Jews (from the Middle East and North Africa) embrace more lenient customs. They permit kitniyot—legumes, rice, corn, and seeds—banned by Ashkenazim but allowed here as they don't naturally rise. This expands Passover menus with rice pilafs and lentil soups.

Charoset varies wildly: Iraqi versions use dates and nuts for a sticky paste; Moroccan includes oranges and sesame; Yemenite features tart tamarind. In Turkey and Greece, lamb or beef shank replaces chicken neck on the Seder plate. A playful ritual in some Sephardi homes involves whipping scallions during "Dayenu," mimicking the Egyptian taskmasters' whips.

Post-Passover, Moroccan Jews celebrate Mimouna with open houses, sweet pastries like mofletta drizzled in honey, and blessings for prosperity—often spilling into streets with music and feasting.

Ethiopian Beta Israel: Ancient and Symbolic Practices

Ethiopia's Beta Israel community, airlifted to Israel in the 1980s-90s, preserves rituals from pre-rabbinic Judaism. They burn chametz (leavened products) publicly in bonfires before Passover, a communal purge symbolizing destruction of the evil inclination. Kitniyot are forbidden, aligning with Ashkenazi stringency.

Seders feature raw beef (kitfo) on the Seder plate for the shank bone (zeroa), reflecting pastoral roots. The Haggadah is chanted in Ge'ez, an ancient liturgical language, with women leading preparations. In Israel today, these customs blend with mainstream practices during communal celebrations.

Yemenite and Persian Customs: Exotic Tables and Symbolism

Yemenite Jews craft round, soft matzah (malawach-style) baked quickly to avoid leavening, served with spicy zhug sauce. Their Seder includes mukawwak—a hollow vegetable tube filled with matzah meal, symbolizing Pharaoh's downfall.

Persian (Iranian) Jews set a lavish table with seven symbolic items: wheat sprouts for resurrection, garlic for blood, sumac-stained eggs for Pharaoh's plague, and more. The Seder ends with haft seen (seven S's in Farsi), blending Zoroastrian influences with Jewish symbolism.

Indian and Latin American Adaptations: Fusion Flavors

In India, Bene Israel and Baghdadi Jews make coconut-date charoset, spiced with curry leaves. Latin American communities, like those in Mexico or Argentina, incorporate tropical fruits—guava or pineapple—into charoset, and piñata-like afikoman hunts.

Unity in Diversity

From Europe's restraint to North Africa's exuberance, Passover showcases Judaism's adaptability. Amid global dispersion, these rituals reinforce shared themes of freedom, memory, and renewal. Whether in a Brooklyn brownstone or a Tel Aviv balcony, the Seder unites generations, proving that while customs evolve, the story endures.

Sources and Further Reading:
- Chabad.org: Passover Customs Around the World

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