The story of Passover comes from a time 3,000 years ago, when the Pharaoh of Egypt, known as Ramses II, had enslaved Israelites and was very harsh and cruel to them. God sent Moses to speak to the Pharaoh to demand release of the slaves, but the Pharaoh refused. God sent 9 plagues on the people of Egypt, each prefaced with the same demand from Moses to the Pharaoh. For the 10th plague, God ordered the Hebrew slaves to sacrifice a lamb and spread its blood over their doorways, as an indication for God to 'pass over' their homes while slaying the firstborn male of the Egyptians. After this, the Pharaoh ordered the Israelites set free.

The eight-day observance of Passover begins on the 15th night of the Jewish month of Nissan, this year, at sundown on April 19th. The most important part of this celebration is the ceremony of Seder, which is observed the first 2 nights of Passover with lavish meals, special foods, stories and history of Passover, plates, silverware, songs, and prayers. 'Seder' means 'order' in Hebrew, and all the rituals are performed in a specific order.



Although candy and confections are not necessarily identified with the Jewish celebration of Passover the way they are with Easter, many Seders are ended with the eating of chocolate products that are kosher la Pesach - kosher for Passover. Passover confections include chocolate bars with nuts, raisins, and dried fruit. Recently, matzah bread (an unleavened flatbread) dipped or half-dipped in chocolate has become popular. Leavened foods are not allowed during Passover - that tradition stems from the Israelites leaving Egypt in such a hurry that did not wait to let their dough rise, but rather they took raw dough to bake in the hot sun as hard crackers, called Maztohs.

Adapted from an article by Retail Confectioners' International

Here at L.A. Burdick Chocolate, we wish you a Passover rich in tradition, happiness & peace. Especially for the Passover season, we offer a new Pineapple-Coconut Cake layered with pineapple compote, finished with a dark chcolate glaze and garnished with toasted coconut. The cake is gluten and dairy free, but not Kosher. We also have our popular flourless Hazelnut-Orange Cake, Chocolate-Dipped Fruit assortment and Luxembourgers.

CHECK OUT OUR PASSOVER SELECTION