NationStates Jolt Archive

In a few days (Saturday in my part of the world), the Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover) will begin. Pesach is arguably the single most important of all Jewish holidays with Yom Kippur being a damn close tie. It's the time when we commemorate and celebrate crawling through the mud out of Africa and begin preparations for receiving Torah.

Tomorrow, I will begin the annual ritual of cleaning the house from floor to ceiling and the removal of all grains and leavening (chametz). You goyishers call this ritual "spring cleaning".

I believe the central theme at first Seder will be duck, but I've not planned the rest of the menu. I will be attending second seder with the synagogue (not disclosing location because virulent Jew haters may be reading this).

So! What're others of the Jewish persuasion going to be doing? Big event or just a Swanson's frozen? Will you be heading to shul or joining family?

Fun Tip: This year, Pesach begins on motzaei Shabbat, so the Fast of the First Born and the hunt for chametz should be done Thursday. Time should not be taken away from the Sabbath to prepare for Pesach!

Some good info: http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/halachot.htm

Thank god I am levite, so no fast :P

My family (me, mom, grandma, uncle, aunt) will gather for dinner. Being that I am the only religious one in the family, I will also lead the ceder.

And Shabath >>> Pesach

Oy, this Passover will be a bad, bad time for me. I'm going home for the sedar and I'm planning on telling my parents that I've dropped one of my courses from college and have been lying to them about it for a few weeks (Well, technically I haven't lied once yet, but I've avoided mentioning the truth).

Bad times ahead.

For some reason I thought you were Muslim.

For some reason I thought you were Muslim.He's a half-breed.

We're having both seders here with a whole bunch of friends comming over and such. Good times!

So, Kirk, you still celebrate Jewish holidays even though you've converted to Islam? Cool.

He's a half-breed.

We're having both seders here with a whole bunch of friends comming over and such. Good times!

I hope you all have a very good time. April 21 is Baha'i Holy Day. The Most Sacred Baha'i Holy day. The day that Baha'u'llah first publicly announced His mission.

I'll be going to my parents for our Sedar with my Sister and nephew. Just a small gathering this year, but it should be nice to see everyone, especialy since I don't have to be there to help cook. :p

I'll be celebrating Passover by putting on a certain outfit and lighting up some "kindling".

For some reason I thought you were Muslim.

I am. "Jewish" is a cultural identity, not a religion. I am Jewish.

A "Muslim" is one who submits to Allah. Nobody is born Muslim.

Was it not Allah who brought my people (Jews) out of Egypt and, thus, should I not commemorate such a remarkable event and express my thanks?

He's a half-breed.


That implies I was born half Muslim. Not possible. :p

I am Jewish. I practice Islam.

So, Kirk, you still celebrate Jewish holidays even though you've converted to Islam? Cool.

*tee hee* ... kirk ...

Well of course! Allah laid out some very specific things in Torah which are not abolished by Qur'an. Pesach is a wonderful celebration of freedom and in today's world where freedom is a political buzz-word used to inspire campaign donations, it is essential to remind ourselves what true freedom really means.

:D

I'll be celebrating Passover by putting on a certain outfit and lighting up some "kindling".

I thought I saw you at the cleaners the other day. Important to look your best, I suppose.

I am. "Jewish" is a cultural identity, not a religion. I am Jewish.

A "Muslim" is one who submits to Allah. Nobody is born Muslim.

Was it not Allah who brought my people (Jews) out of Egypt and, thus, should I not commemorate such a remarkable event and express my thanks?

Well, yes you should.

If only I were a Jew...they get all the holidays off.
Thats it! I'm starting an atheist holiday!

Thats it! I'm starting an atheist holiday!
I am not sure whether or not I will start an agnostic holiday.

...okay, bad joke and not funny. oh well.

Pesach. My least favorite holiday.
Eight days of no pizza! What was God doing when he came up with this?

We've been having a shortage of christian babies to eat though...this passover is gonna suck.

I am. "Jewish" is a cultural identity, not a religion. I am Jewish.

A "Muslim" is one who submits to Allah. Nobody is born Muslim.

Was it not Allah who brought my people (Jews) out of Egypt and, thus, should I not commemorate such a remarkable event and express my thanks?

Besides, who wants to give up an excuse to eat a well prepared brisket?

If only I were a Jew...they get all the holidays off.
Thats it! I'm starting an atheist holiday!
We already got one - it's called mooching off "secular" holidays... :D basically, getting time off without the religious obligations.

Besides, who wants to give up an excuse to eat a well prepared brisket?sadly, I have never tasted a well-prepared brisket. I think dry and stringy meat is a requirement for passover.

Pesach. My least favorite holiday.
Eight days of no pizza! What was God doing when he came up with this?
He probably got in some problems with Italian mafia, and decided to pay them back :P

(sorry g-d)

We've been having a shortage of christian babies to eat though...this passover is gonna suck.
Yea, and their blood recently is so thin, the matza can barely form.

Pesach. My least favorite holiday.
Eight days of no pizza! What was God doing when he came up with this?

Eight days of all the pizza for God! What else would God be thinking? ;)

sadly, I have never tasted a well-prepared brisket. I think dry and stringy meat is a requirement for passover.

You've never lived. The problem is that most people boil the hell out of it. It needs to be gently simmered for over five hours (braised) to reach fork-tender perfection.

Pesach. My least favorite holiday.
Eight days of no pizza! What was God doing when he came up with this?Actually, cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on matza, toasted, is pretty good.

You've never lived. The problem is that most people boil the hell out of it. It needs to be gently simmered for over five hours (braised) to reach fork-tender perfection. I believe I've only ever had it roasted. Maybe I should look up some braising recipies.

Actually, cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on matza, toasted, is pretty good.
Blasphemer!

Actually, cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on matza, toasted, is pretty good.

I believe I've only ever had it roasted. Maybe I should look up some braising recipies.


I've braised it two ways:

First, you'll need a charcoal grill (very hot) to sear the brisket briefly on both sides.

Transfer to a roasting pan, and you can either do:

wine, beef broth, prunes, garlic (and anything else you think goes in there) or:

wine, beef broth, stewed tomatoes (a lot), garlic, and onions.

Make sure you bring this to a boil on the stove top while the oven heats up to 300 F. Then cover tightly, making sure the liquid still covers the meat completely, and pass the pan into the oven.

Leave undisturbed for at least five hours.

I've braised it two ways:

First, you'll need a charcoal grill (very hot) to sear the brisket briefly on both sides.

wine, beef broth, stewed tomatoes (a lot), garlic, and onions.

Make sure you bring this to a boil on the stove top while the oven heats up to 300 F. Then cover tightly, making sure the liquid still covers the meat completely, and pass the pan into the oven.

Leave undisturbed for at least five hours.I'll definately be trying that one, it sounds yummy.

Happy Passover then!

OMFG! 31 posts in a Jewish thread on NationStates, and not one Nazi response yet? I think that's a record.

Is "chag shameach" an appropriate greeting for Passover?

I do hope then that you enjoy your passover. ;)

Is "chag shameach" an appropriate greeting for Passover?

Yes of course. :)

sadly, I have never tasted a well-prepared brisket. I think dry and stringy meat is a requirement for passover.

You just need to get to know more Texan Jews. :D

Well, I hope everyone has a great Passover.

Inane, I know, but I just felt like saying it...

Boiled eggs, and salt water.

Huge jars of pickles (not dill!).

Freshly ground horseradish, and gefilte fish.

Well made, tender brisket

Charoset (this is the part that I usually hate at other people's houses, since they make it like some kind of punishment ration - I don't believe it's supposed to be that way).

Matzo ball soup (chicken, of course).

Plenty of chicken liver

Oh, and wine.

Well being sephardic our seder would be little different, but because we're too laid back about religon, my family will probably try and avoid passover completely...despite my attempts to influence them otherwise...

Boiled eggs, and salt water.

Eggs are boiling right now.

Huge jars of pickles (not dill!).

Cucumbers are pickling right now.

Freshly ground horseradish, and gefilte fish.

Horseradish root is obtained, but not prepared. Made the gefilte fish last night (some beautiful pike).

Well made, tender brisket

I will do that on Sunday.

Matzo ball soup (chicken, of course).

I will do that tonight.

Plenty of chicken liver

Of course! Mmmmmmm.

Oh, and wine.

Essential!

Well being sephardic our seder would be little different, but because we're too laid back about religon, my family will probably try and avoid passover completely...despite my attempts to influence them otherwise...

Oh wow ... another sephardic! That's 2 around here so far. :D

I will do that tonight.

Hopefully, you've already done the cleaning. Make sure you move the stove and refrigerator - the crumbs are always under the oven.

I'll be by with the feather to check it out.

Hopefully, you've already done the cleaning. Make sure you move the stove and refrigerator - the crumbs are always under the oven.

I'll be by with the feather to check it out.

*snicker*

The hunt for chametz begins in an hour. :D

Where does the tradition that crumbs are considered chametz come from? My family's always done some pretty extensive cleaning and I've never quite understood it.

Where does the tradition that crumbs are considered chametz come from? My family's always done some pretty extensive cleaning and I've never quite understood it.
You're trying to rid the household of all leavened products.

First you pack up all the leavened products, and sell them to your goy neighbor.

Then you clean the house looking for all the crumbs, taking out the last bit and burning it.

On the rational side, it makes for a good spring cleaning, and you're confident that vermin in the house have nothing to eat.

I understand the leavened products bit, but I just can't make the connection to the crumbs at the bottom of my toaster.

Where does the tradition that crumbs are considered chametz come from? My family's always done some pretty extensive cleaning and I've never quite understood it.

The law comes from Torah ...

The Torah says: "Lo yera'eh lecha chametz, velo yeraeh lecha se'or bechol gevulecha".

"Neither chametz nor se'or shall be visible to you in all your boundaries."

The hunt should happen tonight since it can't be done tomorrow night. I will begin the process in about an hour here, but shephardim do things a bit differently. Ashkenaz will do their hunt after sundown.

I understand the leavened products bit, but I just can't make the connection to the crumbs at the bottom of my toaster.

The crumbs are probably leavened. :)

my housem8 is jewish. she wanted to take me to a passover meal so i could c how the jewish tradition does it. I have only ever seen the christian version of it which I have been told is very close to the jewish celebration.

The crumbs are probably leavened. :)

So are the yeast spores in the air....


Maybe I'm just stiff-necked like our ancestors.... :)

So are the yeast spores in the air....

What ... you don't clean your air?

Maybe I'm just stiff-necked like our ancestors.... :)

Well stop it!

There ... isn't that better?

The crumbs are probably leavened. :)
Technically, from the time you mix flour and water to make matzah, to the time you throw the dough into the hot oven, you have 18 seconds.

Longer than 18 seconds, and it's considered leavened.

Be quick!

Technically, from the time you mix flour and water to make matzah, to the time you throw the dough into the hot oven, you have 18 seconds.


I'm going to Belden's today and will buy pre-made. Now that's fast!

I'm going to Belden's today and will buy pre-made. Now that's fast!

Realize that the guys making the Passover matzah sit and watch them being made with a stopwatch. I think there's even a song that can be sung while making it, that helps you to figure out the timing.

Realize that the guys making the Passover matzah sit and watch them being made with a stopwatch. I think there's even a song that can be sung while making it, that helps you to figure out the timing.

You sure you don't mean 18 minutes? At 18 seconds, you'd still have dough. :)

What ... you don't clean your air?



Well stop it!

There ... isn't that better?


Ha...oh well, I guess I'll just keep doing it in ignorance.

In a few days (Saturday in my part of the world), the Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover) will begin. Pesach is arguably the single most important of all Jewish holidays with Yom Kippur being a damn close tie. It's the time when we commemorate and celebrate crawling through the mud out of Africa and begin preparations for receiving Torah.

Tomorrow, I will begin the annual ritual of cleaning the house from floor to ceiling and the removal of all grains and leavening (chametz). You goyishers call this ritual "spring cleaning".

I believe the central theme at first Seder will be duck, but I've not planned the rest of the menu. I will be attending second seder with the synagogue (not disclosing location because virulent Jew haters may be reading this).

So! What're others of the Jewish persuasion going to be doing? Big event or just a Swanson's frozen? Will you be heading to shul or joining family?

Fun Tip: This year, Pesach begins on motzaei Shabbat, so the Fast of the First Born and the hunt for chametz should be done Thursday. Time should not be taken away from the Sabbath to prepare for Pesach!

Some good info: http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/halachot.htm
Jewish holidays? :lol: Where you celebrate the lies you've been telling the world about what god is and what not? You should be ashamed!

In a few days (Saturday in my part of the world), the Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover) will begin. Pesach is arguably the single most important of all Jewish holidays with Yom Kippur being a damn close tie. It's the time when we commemorate and celebrate crawling through the mud out of Africa and begin preparations for receiving Torah.

Tomorrow, I will begin the annual ritual of cleaning the house from floor to ceiling and the removal of all grains and leavening (chametz). You goyishers call this ritual "spring cleaning".

I believe the central theme at first Seder will be duck, but I've not planned the rest of the menu. I will be attending second seder with the synagogue (not disclosing location because virulent Jew haters may be reading this).

So! What're others of the Jewish persuasion going to be doing? Big event or just a Swanson's frozen? Will you be heading to shul or joining family?

Fun Tip: This year, Pesach begins on motzaei Shabbat, so the Fast of the First Born and the hunt for chametz should be done Thursday. Time should not be taken away from the Sabbath to prepare for Pesach!

Some good info: http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/halachot.htm
Happy Passover to you Keruvalia, and to all other Jews on NS.

You sure you don't mean 18 minutes? At 18 seconds, you'd still have dough. :)

I had it explained to me - they bake batches at some of the schuls around here, and it seems to be a pastime of some rabbis.

That, and you need a proper oven for it.

Jewish holidays? :lol: Where you celebrate the lies you've been telling the world about what god is and what not?

Yes, that's exactly what Passover is all about. You're very smart.

Oh wow ... another sephardic! That's 2 around here so far. :DMe too, me too! (well, half, anyway) I love my rice on passover.

I just read in an Israeli newspaper that they're not feeding their cattle chametz on pesach. Now that's taking it TOO far.

Happy Passover to all you Jews on NS!

Also, here's hoping this thread doesn't get blitzed by Nazis like most of the other threads concerning Judaism end up.

I had it explained to me - they bake batches at some of the schuls around here, and it seems to be a pastime of some rabbis.

That, and you need a proper oven for it.

Oh oh oh! Okie .... duh .... from mix to oven = 18 seconds ... baking takes 18 minutes as per the traditional first matzah.

You are right, though. 18 seconds. I misunderstood what you were saying.

Yes of course. :)

Is there not a unique greeting especially for Passover?

For example, I'd expect you say "Eid Mubarak" now when the time comes. ;)

Is there not a unique greeting especially for Passover?

For example, I'd expect you say "Eid Mubarak" now when the time comes. ;)


The formal is "Chag Kasher V’Sameach" (Happy and Kosher Holiday) but "chag sameach" just means "Happy Holiday" and is approproate whenever there's a holiday.