Ideally every Jew should attend a Passover seder, the 15-step feast that includes lit candles, reading ancient texts, eating special foods, and drinking four cups of wine.

However, if, for whatever reason, a person will not do the full Passover-eve experience, here is the basic mitzvah for the Jew on the run (to be reviewed and printed before the onset of the holiday).

What you need

  1. Kosher for Passover matzah, at least an olive-bulk (approximately 3/4 of an oz.) piece per person
  2. A large cup
  3. A fellow Jew (child, spouse, or colleague)

When to do this

After night has fallen on Passover eve, 15 Nissan. In the diaspora, repeat on the following night as well.

What to say and do

At your kitchen sink, fill your cup with water, and pour three times on your right hand and three times on the left. Then say the following blessing:

Blessed are You, G‑d, our L‑rd, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the washing of hands.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ-להֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעולָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְותָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo ahl neh-tee-laht yah-dah-yim

Pick up your matzah in your right hand and say the following two blessings:

Blessed are You, G‑d, our L‑rd, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ-להֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעולָם הַמּוצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm hah-moh-tzee leh-khehm min hah-ah-rehtz

Blessed are You, G‑d, our L‑rd, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the eating of matzah.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ-להֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעולָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְותָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מַצָּה
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo ahl ah-khee-laht mah-tzah

Eat the matzah while reclining to your left, in the manner of ancient nobility.

The seder continues with eating the bitter herbs, the matzah-maror sandwich, and the rest of the holiday proceedings.

Every Jew, no matter their level of observance, should take a few minutes to discuss the Exodus with a friend. Retell some aspects of the 10 Plagues, the Splitting of the Sea and the miraculous story of our nation’s journey from slavery to freedom.

(Don’t forget to do this again the following night.)