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| Passover is an acquired taste I've grown to love | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| My eight-year-old self was crouched in the corner, clutching a box of triples cereal. I looked from side to side to make sure no one was watching and stuck my hand into the box and pulled out a handful of cereal. Not more than a second later, I stuffed my mouth full of triples. It tasted so good. | |
| The "triples" moment, as I call it, was not my first memory of the Jewish holiday Passover, but it best illustrates how I viewed it during my early years. You might say I didn't have a great feeling toward the holiday that told me I shouldn't – couldn't – eat barley, oats, rye, spelt, or wheat if they are leavened. | The "triples" moment, as I call it, was not my first memory of the Jewish holiday Passover, but it best illustrates how I viewed it during my early years. You might say I didn't have a great feeling toward the holiday that told me I shouldn't – couldn't – eat barley, oats, rye, spelt, or wheat if they are leavened. |
| Indeed, Passover went south for my younger self right from the very beginning. During the opening night seder, I had to listen and help read what seemed like the longest story ever. After getting through the epic of how the Jewish people escaped bondage in Egypt, I had to to sit through a "festive" meal that I felt was anything but. I hated my mother's cooking, the dietary restrictions, and boring adult conversation. Did I mention the seder experience was repeated for a second night? Oy. | Indeed, Passover went south for my younger self right from the very beginning. During the opening night seder, I had to listen and help read what seemed like the longest story ever. After getting through the epic of how the Jewish people escaped bondage in Egypt, I had to to sit through a "festive" meal that I felt was anything but. I hated my mother's cooking, the dietary restrictions, and boring adult conversation. Did I mention the seder experience was repeated for a second night? Oy. |
| Following the two seders, an additional seven days and six nights of no bread, pasta, or pizza followed. Some years, I managed to make it through it. Most years, I suffered a triples relapse. | |
| To make it worse, Passover almost always happens during Easter. So as most American kids were hopping with a bunny, collecting eggs filled with candy, and receiving presents, I was stuck with a piece of matzah. | To make it worse, Passover almost always happens during Easter. So as most American kids were hopping with a bunny, collecting eggs filled with candy, and receiving presents, I was stuck with a piece of matzah. |
| But then, a funny thing happened: I got older and gained some perspective. Passover began to not be so bad anymore. In fact, I actually began to like it. Why? | |
| For one thing, the way I saw time changed dramatically. Getting through the 25-page story of the Jews liberation from slavery in the Haggadah no longer seems like an eternal task. It certainly was less than my homework for school and is now far fewer than the pages I read for work. I got off-time for Passover during my school years and now request to work from home during it. It's an actual holiday. | |
| I also enjoy the idea of acting out the story like it was a play. Yes, back in the day, I took drama as my art in high school. I started and continue to speak some of my lines in mock accents that have little to do with the Jews or Egypt. I try to summon my best imitation of the pharaoh. I get a few laughs – though I'm not sure if they are laughing with or at me. | |
| I still don't care for my mom's cooking (sorry, mom), yet I have learned that I actually can make my way around the kitchen, too. I can get some fresh sushi salmon from the fishmonger. I can fry up some chicken and sweet potato fries. This year, I special ordered some goat meat and am making a stew. Passover gives me a chance to try and make dishes that I normally would leave to others as well as just try and cook some dishes I might not otherwise eat. | |
| The conversations that used to be boring are now more exciting. I know a thing or two about current events. I can hold my own in a political conversation. I also enjoy catching up with the family friends that my parents invite over. Unlike Thanksgiving, which is usually just a family affair, Passover is family and friends. There are new additions and subtractions each year, but some of the family friends are regulars. A lot of these guests are not Jewish, though that's part of the magic of the season. | The conversations that used to be boring are now more exciting. I know a thing or two about current events. I can hold my own in a political conversation. I also enjoy catching up with the family friends that my parents invite over. Unlike Thanksgiving, which is usually just a family affair, Passover is family and friends. There are new additions and subtractions each year, but some of the family friends are regulars. A lot of these guests are not Jewish, though that's part of the magic of the season. |
| Vincent, for instance, first appeared as a single young lawyer with a full head of hair. Over the years, the hair slowly disappeared. His wit, however, has remained as quick as ever. He also got married and his lovely wife is now a welcomed regular, too. The seven days and six nights after the two seders don't seem too long, either. Yes, I must admit that they still aren't easy. There are only so many ways to cook a chicken, and even I get sick of sweet potato fries. | Vincent, for instance, first appeared as a single young lawyer with a full head of hair. Over the years, the hair slowly disappeared. His wit, however, has remained as quick as ever. He also got married and his lovely wife is now a welcomed regular, too. The seven days and six nights after the two seders don't seem too long, either. Yes, I must admit that they still aren't easy. There are only so many ways to cook a chicken, and even I get sick of sweet potato fries. |
| But now, I actually care why I'm making a dietary sacrifice. It's a small reminder of what my ancestors had to go through escaping Egypt. They didn't have time to let their bread rise, so they had to go with the matzah they had. To me, that's the greatest part of passover. I get to recreate an action that my ancestors took. And even if you don't believe that Moses parted the red sea after the matzah was made, you can't deny that many Jews after him did keep kosher for Passover. I follow in their footsteps. | |
| So I say let the Christian kids have their Easter presents and bunny. I'm happy they can take part in a holiday that means a lot to them. I get to experience the same feeling of joy with Passover. I really wouldn't trade Passover for anything at all – not even a box of triples. | So I say let the Christian kids have their Easter presents and bunny. I'm happy they can take part in a holiday that means a lot to them. I get to experience the same feeling of joy with Passover. I really wouldn't trade Passover for anything at all – not even a box of triples. |