IN PICTURES: Passover preparations in Israel

In Jewish ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Jerusalem residents burned all remnants of leavened food before the start of the holiday.

Israelis prepare for Passover 2017 in Jerusalem (REUTERS)
Jews in Israel made last-minute preparations for the Jewish holiday of Passover in the days leading to its onset Monday at sunset.
In Jewish ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Jerusalem residents burned all remnants of leavened food before the start of the holiday.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men dip in boiling water their cooking utensils to remove remains of leaven in preparation for Passover in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood on April 9, 2017 (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men dip in boiling water their cooking utensils to remove remains of leaven in preparation for Passover in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood on April 9, 2017 (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP)
During the holiday Jewish believers refrain from eating 'chametz', all food products that contain leavened wheat and oats.
Residents queued with their kitchen utensils and dishes to wash them in boiling water and make them kosher for the holiday.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men dip in boiling water their cooking utensils to remove remains of leaven in preparation for Passover in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood on April 9, 2017 (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men dip in boiling water their cooking utensils to remove remains of leaven in preparation for Passover in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood on April 9, 2017 (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP)
In Jerusalem's Old City, Jewish activists gathered to re-enact an ancient Temple-era custom of slaughtering sheep for Passover.
Jews celebrate Passover in memory of the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt in ancient times.
Speical matza-baking ovens in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem (Marc Israel Sellem)
Speical matza-baking ovens in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem (Marc Israel Sellem)
On the eve of the holiday, families convene to eat a ceremonial Seder dinner, in which the Haggadah is read, describing the suffering of the Jewish people in Egypt and their journey in the desert.
Making matzot in Baka, Jerusalem (Marc Israel Sellem)
Making matzot in Baka, Jerusalem (Marc Israel Sellem)
Making matzot in Baka, Jerusalem (Marc Israel Sellem)
Making matzot in Baka, Jerusalem (Marc Israel Sellem)