Passover, "Pesach" in Hebrew, is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (Shavuot and Sukkot, being the other two. Passover commemorates the freedom and exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. Passover also represents the commencement of the harvest season in the land of Israel.

The holiday's name,  "Pesach" or "Passover," refers to the story of the last of the ten plagues, in which God  "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. 

The most known observances during Passover involve the removal of chametz (leaven) from the homes, the eating of the Matzah,and the celebration of the Seder The Matzah, the unleavened bread, is made of flour and water, baked quickly, and eaten in commemoration of the hastily prepared bread by the Jews who fled Egypt.