Pesach, or Passover, is one of the most commonly observed Jewish holidays, with over 80% of Jews attending a Pesach Seder. Pesach Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. It is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance. The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery and is celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Nisan.

The name "Pesach" comes from the Hebrew meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare and is derived from the night of the Tenth Plague, when the Angel of Death saw the blood of the Passover lamb on the door posts of the houses of Israel and "skipped over" them and did not kill their firstborn.

Passover also commemorates the Exodus, the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. As described in the Book of Exodus, Passover marks the "birth" of the Children of Israel who become the Jewish nation, as the Jews’ ancestors were freed from being slaves of Pharaoh and allowed to become followers of God instead. In English, the holiday is known as Passover. "Pesach" is also the name of the sacrificial offering, a lamb, that was made in the Temple on this holiday.

The primary symbol of Passover is the matzo, a flat, unleavened "bread" which recalls the hurriedly-baked bread that the Israelites ate after their hasty departure from Egypt. The dough for matzo is made when flour is added to water only, which has not been allowed to rise for more than 18–22 minutes prior to baking. Many Jews observe the positive Torah commandment of eating matzo on the first night of Passover at the Passover Seder, as well as the Torah prohibition against eating or owning Chametz which includes any leavened products — such as bread, cake, cookies, beer, whiskey or pasta (or anything made from raw dough that had been left alone for more than 18 minutes, as it then begins to ferment) — for the duration of the holiday.

In Israel, Passover is a 7-day holiday, with the first and last days celebrated as a full festival, involving abstention from work, special prayer services and holiday meals. In the Jewish diaspora outside Israel, the holiday is traditionally celebrated for 8 days, with the first two days and last two days celebrated as full festivals.