Need a quick refresher in Passover 101? Look no further!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passover is most known for the food we eat (or can’t eat!). But there is great meaning behind the holiday. The story of Passover can be gory at times so we wrote this kid friendly explanation to share with your kids\u2014or those adults who need an easy refresher of what Passover is and why we celebrate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Passover in a Nutshell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Passover is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the freedom of the Jewish people from Egypt. The Jewish people were slaves under King Pharaoh. Before the Jews fled Egypt, their firstborn children were “passed over” and spared from death, giving the holiday its name “Passover.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Tell the Story of Passover to Kids (and how to celebrate)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over 3000 years ago, a wicked Egyptian king forced the ancient Jewish people to work in the extreme heat making buildings and carrying massive bricks. They were treated as slaves by Pharoah and his men. This meant they had little food or water and were beaten. King Pharaoh was so evil that he even killed their baby boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One mother, afraid for her baby boy, floated him down the Nile River in a basket. She loved him dearly, but she wanted him to live. So, when Pharaoh’s daughter found him, named him Moses, and became his mommy, Moses was safe and became a prince.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ten Plagues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While this is a series of punishments it can actually somewhat entertaining for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God sent 10 plagues to Egypt to punish Pharaoh to free the Israelites. The first 9 were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Blood<\/li>
2. Frogs<\/li>
3. Lice<\/li>
4. Flies<\/li>
5. Cattle disease<\/li>
6. Boils<\/li>
7. Hails<\/li>
8. Locusts<\/li>
9. darkness<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

   With the last plague God intended to kill the firstborn of man. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

   To protect themselves, the Israelites were told to mark their homes with lamb’s blood so that the angel of death would pass over<\/strong> their houses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

   After the tenth plague, Pharaoh finally gave in. “Go! Leave!” he yelled. The people were happy but didn’t trust Pharaoh and were afraid he would go back on his word again. They quickly grabbed their dough before it had time to rise and followed Moses into the desert with only this “matzo” for food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n