Final answer:
Cooking on Yom Tov allows for food preparation using a pre-existing flame, reflecting the unique allowances for work on these holidays. On Passover, the meal is rich with symbolic foods such as matzoh and haroset. Over time, the documentation of recipes has evolved, making it easier to partake in holiday cooking traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cooking on Yom Tov, which includes Jewish holidays such as Passover, differs from cooking on regular days due to specific religious prohibitions and allowances. As a matter of Jewish law, activities like writing, using electronic devices, and driving are generally not permitted. However, cooking is allowed on Yom Tov with certain restrictions. One may not light a new fire, but can maintain or adjust an existing fire. Therefore, food should be prepared partially before the holiday begins and then finished using a pre-existing flame. Furthermore, meals are often pre-planned to include traditional foods such as matzoh and haroset.
On Passover, there's a particular focus on foods that commemorate the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The Seder meal includes symbolic foods like bitter herbs and the Paschal lamb, which are eaten in remembrance of the hardships and the sacrifices during the time of Exodus. Additional details about the preparation and significance of Passover meals can be found in historical texts like the Golden Haggadah, which dates back to around 1320 in northern Spain, where illustrations depict various Passover preparations and rituals.
Finally, in the modern context, the way we use and understand recipes has evolved over time. From handwritten cookbooks to widely accessible internet resources, the methods to learn and follow cooking instructions have greatly expanded, allowing more people to be involved in the preparation of holiday meals.