In commemoration of the final plague and freedom from bondage in Egypt, Israel celebrated a festival known as the what?

The festival celebrated by Israel in commemoration of the final plague, which led to their freedom from bondage in Egypt, is the Passover. This significant event is rooted in the story found in the book of Exodus, where the Lord instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. This sign was a means of protection during the final plague, the death of the firstborn, as the Lord would "pass over" the homes marked with the blood.

The observance of Passover serves not only as a remembrance of liberation from slavery but also highlights themes of sacrifice and deliverance, which are central to the Jewish faith. The festival is celebrated annually and includes specific rituals and the retelling of the Exodus story, reinforcing the importance of remembrance in the Jewish tradition.

In contrast, the other festivals listed—Diwali, the Harvest Festival, and Purim—do not have ties to the Passover event or the liberation from Egypt. Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights; the Harvest Festival, while celebrated in various cultures, does not specifically commemorate the events of Exodus; and Purim commemorates the events of the Book of Esther, which is a different historical context altogether. Hence, Passover is uniquely connected to