Tonight marks the beginning of Passover, a holiday of joy, transformation, hope, and liberation -- at least that's how I see it. It's the only holiday that I celebrate from my distant past -- the rest are typically too silly or too morose. I note the rest, nod politely, and they pass me by. Sometimes the polite nodding includes a bit of sharing in a little traditional food.
But this one -- with its references to celebrating our freedoms, to spring and fertility, to renewal, to life continuing, to the cycle of the seasons -- this one really inspires me.
In the past, we've attended seders at the houses of two friends, quite different one from the other (both the friends and their seders). Unfortunately, one half of that perfect pair died a few years back, so we attend just one seder for now.
We always bring a fruit salad to contribute to the festive meal. This year, I offered to bring something in addition and was assigned a kugel, a dish that does not require fancy or careful baking techniques. I thought I could handle it.
We made it last night. I figure that anything that starts with eight eggs, a stick of butter, two kinds of sugar, and fresh and dried fruit can't go too wrong. Robert got in on the fun and we did have some good laughs in the process. I gave him the chore of breaking up matzoh, soaking it in a cup of water (until moistened but not soaking - wtf?), then squeezing the moisture out.
He kept saying "Who makes this stuff up?" and "I can't believe I'm standing here squeezing out wet matzoh." It was a little surreal, especially given that we're attending a meat meal and our hostess said that using butter (rather than margarine) was just fine with her. Couldn't we just have thrown in some flour and be done with it? No.
So we had some good giggles and the finished product looks very good indeed.
I'm looking forward to sharing the festive meal with old friends and to celebrating the holiday in out hostess' style. I will give quiet thoughts to the parts left unspoken.
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2 comments:
This day once every 28 years, this year twice-blessed as it coincides with Passover, celebrates the blessing of the sun. Your post, that speaks of renewal, of life, is a perfect one for the day on which creation itself is celebrated.
Enjoy, Liz and many blessings to you, who are a blessing to many.
Thank you so much, Kevin. I just stumbled on this article in the Boston Globe (link may disappear after a while):
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/04/jews_celebrate.html
This year, I am especially reminded of the cycle of life after attending that memorial service a few weeks ago. We live always with despair and hope. Some days, hope wins out.
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