The seventh day of Passover, known as “Shvi’i shel Pesach” in Hebrew, holds a significant place in Jewish tradition, both historically and religiously. Its origins trace back to the Torah, specifically in the Book of Exodus. In Exodus 13:17-15:26, the narrative unfolds with the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and witnessing the miraculous defeat of the pursuing Egyptian army. This pivotal event marked their physical liberation from slavery in Egypt and their emergence as a free nation. While most people know about the miracles that are recounted at the Passover Seder in the hagadah, the Torah actually commands that the seder night is only the start of the week of Pesach ending in another holiday.
In the Talmud (Oral Torah), the seventh day of Passover is mentioned in various contexts, particularly in discussions about the splitting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. One notable passage can be found in Tractate Megillah 10b, where it describes the song of praise sung by Moses and the Israelites after their deliverance: “The Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again.” This verse underscores the divine intervention and the ultimate triumph of the Israelites over their oppressors, a theme that resonates throughout the observance of Shvi’i shel Pesach.
Observance of the seventh day of Passover typically includes special prayers, readings from the Torah, and festive meals commemorating the redemption of the Israelites. Some customs include the recitation of the “Song of the Sea” (Shirat Hayam) from Exodus 15, expressing gratitude for the miraculous salvation. In some Jewish communities, it’s also customary to visit bodies of water, symbolizing the crossing of the Red Sea. That said, while it still has the same basic template for prayers and the same prohibitions on work similar to Shabbat as any other major holiday, it is not usually as prominent in the public perception because it does not have unique observances to differentiate it. Even in the similarly structured 7th Day of Sukkot, this is basically its own holiday known as ‘Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah’ that includes dancing with the Torah scrolls, while the 7th Day of Passover is known only by its literal Hebrew name “Shvi’i shel Pesach” with nothing to make it stand out.
As for the eighth day of Passover, it is primarily celebrated outside of the Land of Israel. This is similar to how all major holidays except Yom Kippur are extended by a day outside of Israel, because in the days when the new month was declared through witnesses to the new moon, people too far away from Jerusalem could not hear the correct date in time. While the eighth day is not observed as a separate holiday in Israel, it remains a significant occasion for Jewish communities in the diaspora.
