Starting this Wednesday at sunset the Jewish holiday of Pesach, or Passover, begins and continues till sunset on the 16th.
In the story of the Exodus, the Bible tells that God inflicted ten plagues upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh would release his Israelite slaves, with the tenth plague being the killing of firstborn sons. The Israelites were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord passed over these homes, hence the term "Passover". When Pharaoh finally freed the Israelites, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for their bread to rise. In commemoration, and for the duration of Passover, no leavened bread is to be eaten. Matza (unleavened bread) is the primary symbol of the holiday. This bread that is flat and unrisen is called Matzo. Many Jews observe the positive Torah commandment of eating matzo on the first night of Passover at the Passover Seder, as well as the Torah prohibition against eating chametz - certain leavening and fermenting agents, and things made with them, such as breads, certain types of cake and biscuit, and certain fermented beverages.
So for the typical Jewish college student what does this mean? No cereal, no bagels, no sandwiches, no pizza, no chips, no cakes, no cookies, and no beer.
How does one survive? Scrambled Eggs, salad, Cream Cheese on Matzo, Matzo Pizza, yogurt, fruit, certain potato chips, and anything else you can find at the super market that is labeled Kosher for Passover.
Last year I was able to survive here at school on this restricted diet, but it will be much easier this year because I will be going home Friday to Sunday to spend the holiday with my family. I can’t wait to see them again.
Here see for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMSEFCQCKPo
