Rant #1,880: Holiday

Tonight, at sunset, begins Passover, one of the most revered, and to me at least, fun holidays on the Jewish calendar.

It is a holiday that is all about family, has nothing to do with presents, and is an eight-day celebration of the Jewish heritage, going back centuries.

This is also the beginning of one of the holiest periods in the Christian calendar, what with Palm Sunday being yesterday, Good Friday coming up this Friday, and Easter Sunday being this coming Sunday.

Way back in 2010, on March 21, Rant No. 221 discussed this period pretty well, and here is what I had to say back then:

"This time of year is pretty special, as two of the most revered religious holidays come on top of each other.

Passover begins this evening and lasts for the next eight days. It signifies the Jews' flight out of Egypt, and its greatest symbol, matzoh, reflects the unleavened bread that the Jews ate in their flight. Seders are held tonight and tomorrow night, and religious Jews hold a final Seder on the final night.

Easter allows Christians to reflect on Jesus Christ and upon themselves. This is perhaps the most sacred holiday on the calendar for Christians, and it is preceded by Palm Sunday, yesterday, and Good Friday, coming up this week.

As a Jew, Passover for me is probably the best Jewish holiday on the calendar. Unlike Chanukah, where you are under pressure to buy gifts, on Passover, you aren't under pressure to do much of anything--unless you are cooking and/or preparing for the Seder-- but follow the fabled "Four Questions" and eat until you can't move. All kidding aside, following the Jews' flight from Egypt with the rest of your family is a great tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation, and my kids get a special kick out of this holiday, as I have for all these years.

I am sure the family gatherings that take place during Easter present the same introspection that the Passover Seder does.

So for everyone, happy holiday. I don't have much else to say, but for whatever holiday you follow, these coming days are to be cherished as we meet with our families to study our religious past, present, and future.

So to all, have a nice holiday."

Tomorrow, I am going to have to take a day off from this column, as I have some personal business to attend to, but I will be back on Wednesday in full force ... and hopefully without the dreaded "matzoh stomach!"

If you celebrate Passover, I hope your seders are good ones. Have a great holiday.

Speak to again on Wednesday.