As I've said before...it's that time of year.
For many Jews, this season brings a little bit of fear. Fear of the work, fear of not getting it all done, fear of the family get-together, fear of the week's worth of strange food.
For me, it is a season to savor. I love the the preparations, I love the cooking and the cleaning and the shopping. I love knowing that this is happening all over the Jewish world. I love knowing that generations of Jewish women before me have embarked on the journey of getting the house ready for Pesach.
I love the learning and the study that I do each year. Re-reading the Haggadah, looking for new stories and ideas for the Seder, finding new recipes, learning new songs. Just as the spring begins to blossom, I find the chance to renew myself in this holiday.
The cycle of the year feels so right to me. My body, my heart, my mind, my home, are all ready for spring to be here, and all ready for Pesach to come in with its cleansing effect...body and soul. I'm ready!
What's your torah this week? Leave a comment and join in.
Written also as part of MamaBlogga's March/April Group Writing Project "Savoring the Season." Why don't you join in too?
10 comments:
Thank you. I needed this. I love the seders, but dread the prep. I really like how you mention joining other Jewish women doing the same thing. That's one of the reasons we became more observant--I thought my children had a right to do the same things their great great grandparents did. They have a right to embrace Judaism.
So this year, when my only observant because I am husband shakes his head as I boil the silverware and I find myself craving whatever new bread-coated food they come out with this time (they ALWAYS come out with at least one new not Pesach-friendly food during Pesach), I'm going to look at it from your perspective. Thanks.
I'm back to let you know that this post inspired my torah for this week. It's up on my blog.
Thanks again.
I'm with Reiza; love the seders but DESPISE the prep!! I'll have more to say on this later.
Check out my Tuesday Torah: http://rivster.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/takes-all-kinds/
Hello from Cincy! Wish you were here :)
I am so excited about Pesach, but still not sure where I will be spending the first Seder. Because of my back, I don't think I can sit too long, and don't really think I am up for the whole production of it.
Hopefully, God will understand if I have a mini-Seder this year, in recognition of my own recent redemption from the slavery of my long-term injury. Oooh - I think that will be my Torah!
What an excellent season for renewal! Good luck with all your preparations; I hope all goes well for you.
Thanks for participating!
Although I am not Jewish, I was very inspired by you and all that you do in this season. It's very interesting learning about your culture. Thank you
I wish you a beautiful Pesach. :-)
This year I'm more apprehensive about Pesach than usual. This is about my 15th year of Passover preparations -- but this year will be my first as a Jew-- my mikveh is April 18th and the public welcoming ceremony is the 19th.
Family and dear friends from all across the country are flying in to celebrate both my conversion and Passover with me (and they are all staying at my house!) So far we are up to 20 for dinner (the biggest we've had in this house) breathe... breathe..
Still, I'm enjoying the prep work...and really looking forward to my first "official" seder as the Jewish woman of the house :)
Hi Phyllis! I first met you through Wrapped Emotions, so glad to find you again!
I have always been so overcome by the seder and all the symbolism that I never thought about the prep involved.
I wish all of you the best this Pesach season!
It's tough sometimes to focus on the reason for what we are celebrating in the midst of the preparation for the ceremony. Savouring the preparation and rejoicing in it is a wonderful approach. All the best to your family at this special time.
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