my first passover seder today. i shared it with a small group made of family and new friends though sadly it didn't include my boyfriend and his brother and sister. i helped mamah prepare a little bit of the seder foods which amounted to me talking her ear off while she ran around the kitchen actually making the food. i managed to dice 3 apples and a cup of walnuts for the choraset (pronounced horaset). i brushed up on my passover research last night so i wouldn't be a complete inept at the feast. my research only helped me in one way. i now knew a little more about the world than i did when i got up yesterday. in practical terms it did nothing to help me understand the profound significance that this holiday holds. however it did allow for terribly interesting conversation with miss mamah about the history of judaism - a subject of which she knows an insanely huge amount about. every day i spend with her i learn something new.
our passover seder included the usual suspects:
charoset - diced apples, walnuts, cinnamon, red wine and yumminess.
bitter herbs - two bowls actually of horseradish and the fresh one almost killed me.
shankbone - i did not touch it and it scared me but i admire what it represents.
egg - this is supposed to be roasted but i think mamah may have hardboiled it. cheater ;)
parsley - this is dipped in salt water to represent spring and the sorrows of jewish children. it's very tasty.
our main meal was enough to send me over the edge. matzah ball soup, chicken with kale and mushroom, and asparagus with lemon. and of course MATZAH. not one but two kinds. whole wheat and white. PLUS passover friendly brownies. did i mention the matzah? i adore matzah. i want it all the time. i even looked for it at costco and yet it alluded me.
i didn't know any of the songs myself but it was so neat to hear miss mamah sing them all in hebrew. of course everyone joined her but it was apparent that she had the floor and killed it each time. i like when she sings and i know it makes her happy. i loved it when my mother sang and so i am reminded of her in a sweet way. that is a rare occurrance and i am happy to revel in those moments.
our faithful leader, from here on out known as papa rabbi, along with miss mamah recited the majority of the stories of passover and i think the extent may have been for my benefit. i was learning as i went after all. there are some very interesting things about passover that i have yet to really grasp fully.
this year in the house of mamah and papa rabbi.... next year in jerusalem!
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