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Monday, April 9, 2012

#AtoZ : Hebrews

When Tevya spoke to God, he said, "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else."  Tevye was modeled after my grandfather's uncle, making me related to Sholem Aleichem, author of Fiddler on the Roof, and his grand daughter Belle Kaufman of Up the Down Staircase fame. I'm one of the people chosen to eat unleaven bread while others eat chocolate eggs.

I identify with Tevye when sitting around the Passover table. We enjoyed our family seders complete with our Haggadah, or seder book, that tells the story of our ancestors who were slaves in Egypt. The whole mishpacha took turns reading from the book. The best part of our seders, besides dinner, were the intellectual discussions. For example, we always end the seder with, "Next year in Jerusalem," but if we could really leave our homes and move to Israel for next year, would we? Or if God had only freed us from Egyptian slavery yet left us in the dessert to starve would it really have been enough? As Jews, we are taught to question thus providing great intellectual stimulation.

In the end, our story has not changed: They tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat.

After a week of eating matzah, maybe it will be a good thing to have left over Dulcolax from the colonoscopy.



20 comments:

THE SNEE said...

Chag Sameach, Joyce! We too debated and debated for two nights the meaning of the four children, the plagues, the matzah, and the four glasses of wine. We asked who Elijah was? Then we ate, and ate and ate and ate some more. Now, I'm left with only one question:

Why on the 50th year, must we have a colonoscopy while on all other years just a mammogram? Sigh.......

shelly said...

We did a different type of Passover this year. We bought our Matzah and watched Ancient Aliens. Guess what we discussed while eating our Matzah?

Sandra Tyler said...

Ugh. Ducolax. My husband can't drink out of the same mug he used for that anymore.

danneromero said...

Thanks for sharing, Joyce. Very interesting.

Sharon Greenthal said...

My gosh, you are practically Jewish royalty if you are related to Sholem Alechem! Love your summation of the holiday: They tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat. The only thing wrong with the seder is the desserts are rarely as good as you hope they will be -

Paula Martin said...

Interesting post. Thanks, Joyce.

nutschell said...

I'm always happy to learn about new cultures and new religions.:)
Great A-Z post!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

k~ said...

All I can say is that I am NOT celebrating my 50th with a colonoscopy... shakes her head nope.

carol said...

I somehow think you get more out of your Passover meal than we do out of getting candy from giant bunnies. Thanks for sharing.

http://carolsnotebook.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your Seder and Passover with us. Beautiful tradition!

The Writing Goddess said...

Some of my family also makes a similar joke, "If God chastises those whom He loves, could we get a little less love and a little more indifference for a while?"

Glad you had your family and a great discussion, even if you miss out on the chocolate eggs.

Unknown said...

I love the way you sum it all up! "They tried to kill us, we survived. let's eat." Brilliant. LOL


Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/

Marquita Hockaday said...

I love learning about the Hebrew faith. I'm really obsessed. Thanks for sharing this!

Jenn said...

You know--surviving such things-- makes for a great story-- and builds one's appetite. Hope the Dulcolax kicks in soon :D

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Binky said...

I wouldn't mind trying matzah, but I'll pass on the Dulcolax.

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful way of combining the serious with the silly. It always makes me happy.

PS: I still say you're a nut. ;O)

Beverly Diehl said...

Is it unkosher to like matzo spread with cream cheese? Grateful for all the wonderful things the Jewish culture has given the world, including some (if not all) of the food.

Grammy said...

Hi, very interesting post! I loved the play, "Fiddler on the Roof". I am not Jewish but Christian, and we share much in the fact that we both believe in the Old Testament, and the God of the Bible. The food you speak of, I do not know, but I am sure it is quite good. Best regards to you, Ruby

Catherine said...

Dear Joyce, Happy Passover. I love this food. My mom and grandma both learned how to make many traditional dishes and we all enjoyed them.
Blessings, Catherine