Where does the Jewish practice of cleansing leaven from houses go back to?
The Jewish practice of cleansing leaven from houses goes back to the institution of Exodus chapter 12, where Passover was introduced. Scripture records that the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, establishing that month as the beginning of months.
Les explains that Exodus chapter 12 is a benchmark chapter, much like Genesis chapter 12, because it introduces Passover. He notes that the Jewish people, especially Orthodox Jews and some other areas of Judaism, still make a big ado over Passover. They still cleanse their house of leaven from top to bottom, and this practice goes back to that institution. In verse 1, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt that this month, now called April, would be the beginning of months.