What does Passover (Pesach) celebrate?

Passover, or Pesach, is a significant Jewish holiday that commemorates the exodus of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, which is central to Jewish identity and history. This celebration symbolizes the themes of freedom, liberation, and divine intervention, as it narrates the story of how the Israelites were freed from the bonds of oppression and slavery under Pharaoh's rule.

During Passover, various rituals and practices are observed, including the Seder meal, where the story of the exodus is recounted through the reading of the Haggadah. The foods eaten during the Seder, such as matzah, represent the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, highlighting their liberation and the beginning of their journey to freedom.

The other options represent important aspects of Jewish tradition but do not pertain to the specific focus of Passover. The celebration of the harvest of the first fruits is known as Shavuot, while the giving of the Torah at Sinai also pertains to Shavuot. A time of mourning and reflection relates more closely to Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. Thus, the essence of Passover is firmly rooted in the story of liberation from Egypt.