As you know from previous experience, the first two days and the last two days of the holiday are considered holy days (Yom Tov) and observant Jews do not work on these days.
Passover celebrates the departure of the Jewish people from Egypt on their way to freedom in the land of Israel. In order to celebrate properly, two special commandments (mitzvot) are fulfilled. The first mitzvah is to eat only Matzot, unleavened bread, for the eight days. The house is cleaned of all bread, cakes, and products made with leaven or yeast. Kosher for Passover products are purchased and used for the eight days.The second Mitzvah is called Haggadah, which means "telling". One is commanded to tell the story of the going out from Egypt on the night of Passover. The Haggadah is read at the Seder, which is a special meal that takes place on the first and second nights of Passover.
The mitzvah of Haggadah is mentioned four times in the Torah using the words: "And you shall tell it to your children on that day." The four times that the mitzvah is mentioned is the source for the four questions (the mah nishtanah) and the source for the section about the four sons, which are both part of the reading of the Haggadah at the Passover Seder meal.
I, personally, find it fascinating that the emphasis on Passover for remembering one's freedom as a Jew is through the action of transmitting one's heritage by teaching, and explaining to one's children, what it means to be a free person. It shows me that the essential part of one's heritage is based on the family and the passing on of one's traditions from one generation to another.
Copyright©1999 Rabbi Michael Wolff. All Rights Reserved.
