All Pesach, All the Time

The final countdown: tommorrow night is the seder, and we are still plowing through a long list of things to do.

1. Finish kashering the kitchen. This involves scrubbing, lots of boiling water, switching dishes, taping off cupboards, and doing a final check to get rid of all hametz (products with grain or leavening that are forbidden during Passover).
2. Cook! I've got my infamous Yemenit haroseth to make, which has a real kick to it. If it doesn't make at least one kid cry, it isn't strong enough. Reminder: gotta get more ground chili peppers. Oh, and a sponge cake. And more eggs. Gotta get more eggs. Who's making the kneidlach? Where's my list?

3. Prepare the beet. A traditional seder plate has a roasted lamb bone to symbolize the Temple sacrifice. Vegetarians, however, often use a beet. There was a rabbi in LA who used a sweet potato and referred to it as "the Pascal Yam."
4. Wash the car. Getting all the hametz out of the house isn't enough. You have to purge it from everything that you own. Snack in the car? Those crumbs have to go! There will be a long line at the car wash today!
5. Symbolically get rid of hametz. Reader George sends this link with a novel way to combine your love of eBay with Pesach cleaning.

This is the time of year I always think of Rudy, my old gingy boy. He adored Pesach, mainly because he loved people and all the fuss of preparations and guests. He also loved plain matzoh (go figure). We miss ya, booboo kitty!

So a great seder to all. If you have never been to a seder, shnor an invite. The seder is a learning experience and many of us have opened our homes to guests over the years. Hint for non-Jews: if you are invited to a seder, do not make the mistake of bringing food, as the chances are it isn't kosher for Pesach. Flowers are always nice.

Chag s'meach (happy holiday) to all. May this Pesach be one of peace and joy, when we can celebrate our freedom, the spring, our family, and time with good friends. And, of course, fluffy kneidlach. Unless you like the dense, chewy kind. Then you're on your own...