Dateline Jerusalem — I always seem to be saying “It is that time of year again.” The words “Next year in Jerusalem” will be said next week at seder tables throughout the world. Those living in Jerusalem will say “Next year in Jerusalem rebuilt.” This refers to the coming of Moshiach (Messiah), spiritual redemption, and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. The seder reminds Jews that in every generation we must feel as though we have personally come out of Egypt, as Passover (Pesach) commemorates the exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Jerusalem over 3,300 years ago. The holiday is often referred to as The Season of Our Freedom. Being in Israel is the fulfillment of freedom.
One would think that living in Israel means an abundant supply of kosher-for-Passover foods. After all, it is a Jewish country. Believe it or not, even the non-Jewish markets in the States carry a better assortment of Passover foods than the markets in Israel. Kosher-for- Passover does not mean just eating matzoh and avoiding bread. Because I am of Ashkenazi descent (Jews who tend to come from Western Europe, Germany, Poland, and Russia) as opposed to Sephardi descent (Jews who tend to come from Spain, Portugal, Mediterranean countries, and the Middle East), I must follow the Ashkenazi prohibition of kitniyot, meaning no legumes, corn, rice or beans. Since more than half the Jews in Israel are not Ashkenazi, finding kosher-for-Passover foods without kitniyot often seems impossible. In the States, most of the Jews are Ashkenazi. Non-kitniyot foods are the norm. At one time Ashkenazi Jews were only 3 percent of the world's Jews. Now they are 80 percent.
In Israel, we only have one seder night as compared to two nights of seders observed by the rest of the world. I remember cooking for 30 to 35 people for each night when I lived in California. Because my family does not live in Israel, I celebrate the holiday with my family of friends in Rehovot. I have been blessed with wonderful friends here since I made aliyah almost seven years ago. The people here are unusually friendly. I walk down the street and strangers greet me with “Chag sameach” (happy holiday). One family in my apartment building passes out a box of handmade shmurah matzos to all the residents.
Allegedly Passover is the most observed holiday by Jews, whether secular or religious, even moreso than Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur. Although I lived a relatively secular life until I became religiously observant 20 years ago, one of my fondest childhood memories is the Pesach seder at my grandmother's home with my great-grandfather present, may they rest in peace. I was only three years old when given the privilege of opening the door to let the angel Eliyahu (Elijah) enter the home. How could I forget my Aunt Marian's charoset (a mixture of walnuts, apples, cinnamon, and either honey or sugar and wine). To my dismay, I have been unable to duplicate.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe Passover.
L'hitraot. Shachar