Why Jews Read the Song of Songs on Passover
Song of Songs is an erotic poem that compares young love to gazelles frolicking in the field. So why is it read on the holiday of liberation?
Counting the Omer
The days between Passover and Shavuot are considered a time of mourning.
Hol Hamoed: The Intermediate Days of Passover
Although they are not full festivals, they are still holy relative to ordinary days.
How to Greet People on Passover
Happy Passover is always acceptable, but here are a few traditional greetings — in Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino — to try out over the holiday.
Passover and Easter
Both celebrate spring and hope, though there are major differences between them also.
Next Torah Portion
Summary
This reading describes the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert following their departure from Egypt. It includes the dramatic pursuit by Pharaoh’s army that culminates with the splitting of the Red Sea, allowing the children of Israel to escape through the waters while the Egyptians are drowned. On the far shore, the Moses leads the Israelites in singing a song of praise to God.
Passover Day 7 Readings
Torah Reading
Exodus 13:17-15:26; Numbers 28:19-25; Song of Songs 1:1-8:14
Haftarah
II Samuel 22:1-51
Featured Commentary
When Miracles Are Not Enough
The transformation into a sacred people occurs not through miracles but rather through steady education, discipline and communal reinforcement.
Kaddish Minyan With Rabbi Rachel Isaacs (Mondays)
Hosted by: My Jewish Learning
Recharge Now
Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat. Here are a few of our recent pieces:
Season of Uncertainty
Why should the Omer, a period of harvesting a staple crop, have become a time of mourning?
The Life Force of Liberation
Each act of creativity is a direct challenge to the forces of death and despair.
Singing God’s Song
Brooding over a psalmist’s question in the face of death.
MORE from MY JEWISH LEARNING
Kosher Details: Waiting Between Meals
How much time is required between eating meat and dairy?
9 Things You Didn’t Know About Passover
Why Israelis have just one seder, how Gibraltar does haroset and other curiosities of this 8-day holiday.
How Coca-Cola Became Kosher
While the iconic soft drink has been on the market since 1886, only since 1935 has it been certified kosher, including for Passover.
Are Non-Dairy Milks Kosher for Passover?
Alternative milk product pose a number of unique considerations for Passover consumption.