Yesterday we arrived in Jerusalem after spending a couple of nights recovering from Africa in Tel Aviv. This is my third time in Jerusalem and Debbie’s first visit, but this visit carries a special significance. Tonight is the first night of Passover, for our non-Jewish friends, this is a holiday that signifies the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt during biblical times. There is a custom on this holiday at the end of the seder (the large festive meal/ceremony), whereby Jews proclaim that the next year should be spent in Jerusalem; hence the significance of the visit.
More simplistically, Passover carries with it some very stringent dietary restrictions; one cannot eat anything that is leavened aka bread. In Toronto, this means cooking at home for 8 days straight for us, which is always a mission. As we were planning our trip we were trying to figure out where to spend Passover, and we figured Jerusalem made a lot of sense, as there a tons of restaurants here catering to this dietary restriction. So much so, that as I searched for my typical last coffee and bagel this morning before the holiday begins, it was nowhere to be found! I settled for a cappuccino and day old pastry I had saved.
On Passover, or Pesach as the members of the tribe call it, there’s another custom to burn all of your chametz (leavened products). I haven’t typically done this in the past in Toronto, but when in Jerusalem I figured I’d live as a local. So this morning as I walked down the street from our Airbnb, I followed the scent of smoke, until I came across this large group of observant Jews burning their bread and thought I’d join them. It was a very cool experience and I’m happy I took the walk.
To all of our Jewish friends, have a Chag Sameach. To everyone else, have a Happy Easter or at least a great long weekend!
Cancel My Meetings 