Passover is a holiday that looms above us.  The mere thought of cleaning our homes, and the madness it entails can be a huge task.  As a mother of five, I have found that food travels into spaces that one never imagined…bookshelves, closets, behind the couch.  “Seek and ye shall find” is a verse that is spoken with trepidation during these times of cleaning house.

As Purim ended, the thoughts of Passover began.  Even our local supermarket joined the band-wagon with a two for one bleach sale, cleaning sponges, and the infamous paper towels all below the usual marked-up prices.  Cleaning products were moved to outside the store, and at the end of every isle.  The spray bottles, now in hot-pink and bright neon orange, jumped out at me, at every turn of my cart as I shopped for my daily necessities.

Last year, being the good American-raised daughter that I am, had a stocked closet of matzoh, farfel, matzoh meal, tomato ketchup, tomato sauce, jam, jelly, canned goods…need I go on? It was my pride and joy.  Yet, I had to schlep to markets beyond my local neighborhood to procure the goods.  And, I realized that as Passover approached all of the above-said goods were available in my local markets, at lower prices!

So, this year, I decided to do the unthinkable…wait.  Yes, it is hard to prevent the genetic instincts to hoard Passover items a month prior to the blessed event. But, I found that I actually enjoyed the time.  I cleaned my kids’ closets with ease, not angst.  I had them help me organize, and sift through unnecessary items that could be donated to those in greater need.  I found this to be the easiest Passover preparation period…ever! Why? I had taken the anxiety out of the madness. It was a wonderful revelation…Passover with no guilt, no trepidation, and no fear of the leaven madness!

In prior years, I would attend a lecture given by our local Rabbi about Passover preparation.  He would give a basic speech about necessary things that one must do to prepare their home for Passover.  The Rabbi talked of koshering the kitchen, and of the process of burning one’s leavened bread.  The Rabbi always started his speech by saying “Passover is not Spring Cleaning! So many people confuse the two! It is a time for reflection, and a time for family!”  Often I would walk away from the lecture wishing I could put the words of the Rabbi into practice…to take the anxiety of cleaning out of the preparation…to view the holiday as one of our freedom to celebrate as Jewish people together with our loved ones.  I never thought I would be able to put the Rabbi’s words into action.  The task was an impossible goal.

At this time, I find that I am at peace with the concept of Passover. I am truly thankful for the fact that it is a holiday that brings my family from near and far, together in one room to recount the miracles of freeing the Jewish people from Egypt.  The holiday is one for children to shine, and adults to listen.  It is a time to eat the matzoh, and remember the miracles of the Jewish people seeking refuge from hundreds of years of bondage and slavery.  And, as my family eats the matzoh, I will gladly watch the crumbs flutter to the clean floor.  Each savory bite is a symbol of our origins, and our means to survive.

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.

(Ariel Blacher – YWN)