paszach

Paszach is a term used in Polish to refer to two related but distinct religious holidays that share a common Semitic root: Pesach, the Jewish Passover, and Pascha, the Christian Easter. The spelling and usage differ by tradition, with Pesach generally associated with Judaism and Pascha with Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic Christian contexts. The word ultimately derives from Hebrew Pesach, meaning “to pass over,” a reference to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

In Judaism, Pesach commemorates the Exodus and liberation from Egypt. It is observed for seven days in Israel and eight days in the diaspora. The first and, for many communities, the last two nights feature a festive Seder, a structured meal with symbolic foods such as matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), and charoset. Chametz (leavened products) are avoided during the festival. The date of Pesach follows the Hebrew calendar, starting on the 15th day of Nisan and shifting within March–April on the Gregorian calendar.

In Christian usage, Pascha denotes the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. In Western Christianity, Easter is determined by the Computus, falling on a Sunday between late March and late April. In Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches, Pascha is calculated using a different calendar and can fall on a different date from Western Easter. The Paschal period includes Holy Week and culminates in the Easter celebration, often marked by distinctive liturgical rites, hymns, and the Paschal greeting.

In Polish-language contexts, Pascha commonly refers to Easter in Orthodox and Eastern Catholic settings, while Pesach is used for the Jewish Passover. Both employ a shared root and carry themes of liberation and renewal.