This is the first day of Passover, which began last night at sunset. It commemorates the passing over of the Hebrew people during a plague that killed all the other first-born children in Egypt. That resulted in the release of the Hebrews from enslavement, and the beginning of their exodus to the promised land. It is celebrated by Jewish families around the world with the tradition-filled Passover seder dinner, whose foods and preparations are prescribed. No leavening of any kind may be present in the meal, for example. The ceremonies involve everyone at the table, especially children. It even includes gentiles who happen to be present. Seders continue nightly for the next week in many homes.