Passover

Passover is the oldest of the Jewish holidays. It celebrates the story of how God set the Jewish people free from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan, which is the night of the first full moon after the equinox. Because in the Jewish calendar the day begins at sunset, Passover in fact begins on the evening before the full moon, and then continues for eight days. 

The highlight of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial meal that begins at sunset on the first night. The Sedar focuses on the traditional symbolic foods that are used to help remember the Passover story. The whole family gets involved, each taking turns reading out of the haggadah (Hebrew for “narration”). The youngest person chants the Four Questions which ask why Passover is observed the way it is. After the initial ceremony the family shares a feast, then one final part of the Sedar, and finally singing and poetry.

I don't hold a Passover seder because it's too important of a ceremony. Instead, I honor the start of Passover with some thought and discussion on the themes, some Hebrew prayers, and a nice Jewish meal.

Agenda today:

1. Clean the kitchen:
To prepare for Passover, Jewish families clean their homes very thoroughly and remove all leftover foods from the house so that no leavened products are left. I don't need to remove all the leavened foods, but today I will clean the kitchen floor and counters.

2. Journal:
Passover is about physical and spiritual freedom- In order to leave Egypt, I must escape my limitations and free myself to achieve my full spiritual potential. 

According to Hasidic philosophy, leavened bread symbolizes egotism and matzo represents humility. Consider today whether I been behaving puffed up with importance, arrogance, and indulgence, or modest and humble like matzo. 

3. Make matzo balls and soup:
I did make matzo ball soup- it was good, but I forgot to take pictures.

4. Passover blessing:

Barukh atah AdonAI, eloHAYnu melekh ha’olam, hazan et ha’olam kull O betuvo,

bechen bechesed uvrachamin.

Blessed art Thou, our God of the Universe, who nourishes the universe in goodness, with grace, kindness, and compassion.