Photo: Envato
Are you ready for a triple treat of holiday joy—or should we say, a challenge? Get this: 2025 is throwing us a curveball with not just one, but multiple three-day Yom Tovs! That’s right, three full days of festive meals, family time, and a complete digital detox.
While Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot also feature extended observances, in this post, we'll focus on Pesach, perhaps the most impactful of these for those celebrating outside of Israel. If you haven’t checked the 2025 Pesach dates yet, here’s your spoiler alert: It starts with Shabbat on Friday night, followed by the Seder on Saturday night, and continues with two days of Yom Tov on Sunday and Monday. Talk about a holiday hat-trick!
What’s Up with the Three-Day Deal?
So, what’s the big deal? Well, for starters, Passover 2025 begins on a Saturday night, which means we roll right from Shabbat into the Seder night with no break in between. This back-to-back holiday action creates what’s lovingly referred to as a "three-day Yom Tov" outside of Israel. In Israel, though, it’s a bit different—they have a 'two-day chag,' which means Shabbat rolls into just one day of Yom Tov. Still a quick turnaround, but it definitely keeps things interesting and, let’s be honest, a little hectic!
Here’s the breakdown:
- Shabbat: The usual no-work-allowed, chill vibes day.
- First days of Pesach (Sunday and Monday): Where the Seder magic happens, and yes, still no flipping switches or texting!
Getting Ready for the Big Days
Gear up for a culinary and logistical marathon, because even though cooking is off the table on Shabbat, Yom Tov offers some flexibility with meal prep that isn't available during Shabbat. Yes, you heard that right! While you can’t cook on Shabbat, Yom Tov does allow you to cook, provided you start from an existing flame. However, all your prep work—cooking, cleaning, turning your kitchen over for Pesach—needs to be wrapped up before candle lighting on Friday.
Think about it: you'll need to strategize your meals and snacks to cover three full days of celebration. While you can cook on the first two days of Pesach, you’ll want to have everything organized to minimize effort, because who wants to spend all their holiday in the kitchen? You might opt to prepare some dishes in advance to keep your Yom Tov cooking simple and stress-free. Challenge accepted?
Photo: Envato
Passover Programs Gear Up
For those joining Passover programs, gear up for an extra special treat: your holiday escape starts a day earlier than usual. That’s right, you'll be checking into your Passover paradise on Friday! This extends your stay to a lush 11 days of not having to worry about dishes—because who wants to do dishes on holiday, right?
Benefits of a Longer Pesach Program
- More Time to Chill: With three full days of holiday right off the bat, you can truly unwind without the usual rush of holiday prep.
- Say Goodbye to Kitchen Duty: Forget about peeling potatoes or setting timers. Every meal is prepared for you, from the first night's Seder to the last bite of matzah.
- More Than Just Meals: Enjoy a variety of programs, from inspiring lectures to fun family activities, all included in your stay.
- Stress-Free Holiday: With everything taken care of, from food to cleaning, all you need to focus on is enjoying time with your family and friends.
- Community Vibes: Extended time together means forming deeper connections and creating memories that last long after the matzah is gone.
The Scoop on the Hebrew Calendar
Ever wondered why Jewish holidays seem to swing around the calendar? It’s all tied to the Hebrew calendar, which is based on lunar months. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the solar year, the Jewish calendar must occasionally adjust to keep seasonal festivals like Pesach during the spring. This adjustment involves adding an extra month roughly every three years, known as a leap year.
Though 2025 itself isn’t a leap year, it follows closely after one. This means that last year's addition of a second Adar helps ensure that Passover, along with other festivals, stays in sync with the seasons. As a result, while the Hebrew dates for holidays remain constant, their dates on the secular calendar can vary, appearing slightly earlier or later each year.
Photo: Envato
Wrapping Up
Whether you call it a three-day Yom Tov, Yuntif, or Chag, get ready for what's truly a marathon of food, shul, family, and yes—a whole lot of logistical gymnastics. As 2025 approaches, it's time to start planning and prepping to tackle this festive endurance test head-on. And if you're leaning towards a Passover program, there’s even more reason to get excited.
Opting for a Passover program can transform your holiday experience from hectic to heavenly. Imagine this: no kitchen prep, no dishes to wash, and no logistics to manage beyond getting yourself to a luxurious location where everything is arranged for you. From the first night’s Seder to the closing moments of the holiday, every detail is crafted to enhance your spiritual and leisurely enjoyment.
This extended holiday offers the perfect opportunity to dive deep into the traditions and celebrations of Pesach without the stress of managing it all on your own. So sharpen those pencils, start planning your Passover program, and stock up on your essentials for a holiday that's going to be one for the books. Get set, plan smart, and here’s to pulling off a spectacularly smooth three-day celebration that leaves you refreshed and recharged!