PASSOVER/PESACH

This is the most commonly observed Jewish holiday. This one is literally about they tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat. Of course when we do eat, it’s matzo, a sort of dry cardboard type of unleavened bread that seems to taste good on Pesach, but almost no other time of the year. We also drink that heavy Manischewitz wine which, again, tastes good on Pesach. And, of course, there’s the Seder. A seemingly interminable ceremony punctuated by eating of such delicacies as parsley dipped in salt water, horseradish spread on matzo, a few glasses of heavy Manischewitz wine, chopped up apples, walnuts, cinnamon and Manischewitz wine, and more matzo. Then a meal of brisket, turkey, stuffing (made with matzo), tsimmes — a concoction of yams, prunes and honey — overcooked vegetables, matzo ball soup, more matzo and more wine. No wonder there are so many Jewish cardiologists. All inspired by this meal! Anyway, seriously it’s my favorite Jewish holiday. I love the retelling of the Exodus story. It inspired me as a child to always fight for fairness and to treat others with respect and to appreciate the freedoms we have or wish to have.