Since passover was a family observance, it imposed a religious duty on every family man. The faith of the family was primarily his responsibility. It is a curious fact that the religious New Year for Israel, in spite of the passover, is at the beginning of the seventh month, Rosh Hashanah, in September. Rosh Hashanah is a harvest festival, whereas Passover is in the spring; it precedes the harvest. By ordering the passover, God claimed Israel as His property. He had judged Egypt and was now about