Apologies
I am writing this discussion for a number of reasons. The
main motive is to provide guidance to my family, non-Orthodox Jewish friends,
and non-Jewish friends who would like to observe Passover. Another reason is
because a number of my orthodox friends have asked me to write about Halacha.
The final reason is to examine what my beliefs really are, however presently
fluid and amorphous they may be. In any case I believe what follows is the
essential message of the Five Books of Moses.
The Seder
1.
The essential message of
Passover is the exodus from Egypt. The expression of this testimony is the
Seder, specifically the section called Magid (מגיד
– Discussion). It is important that the story be recounted at this time. If the
text of the Hagada is difficult, the story should be told in English in a
leader and discussion format.
2.
The story should be a
praise of G-d. Therefore, parts of it should be singing His praise. A good
expression of this is singing Dayanu (דינו)
and V’he Sh’Amda (והיא שעמדה).
3.
The Seder should be viewed
as a sacred service and verbally declared as such. Therefore it should start with the Kiddush on the day and
on the wine. If the Hebrew text is difficult for any reason, recite it in
English.
4.
The Seder should be joyous
therefore it should include a festive fancy meal with alcoholic beverages.
Matzo and Chomaytz
1.
Bread, cake, and grain
products that rise and are soft should not be eaten for the duration of the
holiday. One need not be stringent about noodles, flat crackers, or beverages
from fermented grains like beer and whiskey. One need not be strict about
legumes. The practice though of making soft rolls that rise for example from
potato starch or corn flour should be discouraged.
2.
One should specifically eat
matzo during the Seder and the duration of the festival.
Rest and Recreation
Introduction:
To understand refraining from work it is helpful to understand the concept
of “parnasah” (פרנסה) or livelihood.
Essentially this means the labors we engage in to stay alive, among them to
receive food, clothing, and shelter. At one time people would typically grow
wheat, process it into flour, and bake it into bread. Likewise they would sew
their own clothes and make their own furniture through carpentry. Today we work
at a job for money, then go to the store and buy things like a loaf of bread,
shirt, and sofa. Another concept of work is things that are a strain whether
physical, emotional, or intellectual.
One reason one should not work is because a person should
take a break for the holiday. Another reason is that by not working we a
telling the world we have a message. As such on the first and last day of
Pesach
1.
One should not engage in
their ordinary profession.
2.
One should not engage in
regular shopping especially for food, clothes, and household furnishings.
3.
One can be lenient and
purchase items necessary for immediate use on the holiday.
4.
Students should not go to
school or attend college classes. However it is fine to watch educational
videos or engage in hobbies that require no particular exertion.
5.
On Yom Tov one should study
enjoyable religious subjects.
6.
On Chol HaMoed one is
encouraged to do some touring and catch up on sleep.
The Second Day of Yom
Tov in the Diaspora
The custom of keeping two days Yom Tov is an expression
of the loss of sanctity caused by not living in the land of Israel. The
decision to observe the second day of Yom Tov is a personal one based on what
is in the heart of the individual.
Pesach Cleaning
Now is the time to do “spring cleaning”. One should
thoroughly clean their house. Chomaytz should be confined to a few specifically
designated places. These could include a box or shelf in the kitchen, a bag in
the refrigerator and freezer. These places should be clearly labeled as
Chomaytz.
Areas that become dirty which are not generally cleaned
should be cleaned now even if there is no concern that chomaytz are present.
Therefore
·
one should thoroughly clean
the refrigerator and stove. This includes moving them to clean what may be very
thick dirt under them.
·
Likewise large pieces of
furniture should be moved and the floor under them swept and washed.
·
Tops of cabinets and wall
units should be dusted and washed.
·
Book cases and the books in
them should be dusted.
·
The medicine cabinet should
be examined and cleaned and items whose date has expired should be tossed. One
should do likewise with kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
·
Clothing closets should be
checked and garments that no longer have any value should be disposed of.
·
Boxes of photographs and
letters should be examined organized. Duplicates and dated items should be
disposed of. Things that are important either personally or for some other
reason should be segregated and put in a noticeable place.
·
Now is the time to take a
critical look at what is in the cellar, attic, and shed.
·
Contents of bookcases
should be examined and old useless books should be tossed.
·
Files of “important papers”
should be examined and documents that have become dated should be either
reorganized or disposed of. This includes things like banking and financial
records, medical records, guarantees and purchase receipts.
·
Now is the time to look at
computer files that have become large and unruly.
·
Etc. etc. etc.
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