Rant #3,105: We Are Family

Yesterday, I went to the doctor, did what I had to do there, and now, I don’t have to go to another doctor until Friday, when I have to venture 40 miles there and 40 miles back to get my allergy shots right before the Queens border in Nassau County.

And with gas gong up, up, up, and up, you can bet that I am still not a happy man about this situation at all, a situation that makes absolutely no sense.

As you know, it used to be five miles there and five miles back for me when I needed by shot, but due to insurance, I now have to travel 80 miles to get my shot.

Explain to me how that saves this supposedly semi-retired person money … I just don’t get it.

But anyway, talking about going up, up and up—as in “up, up and up the river”—we have former President Donald Trump, who checked into a Manhattan courthouse yesterday to be arraigned for crimes against humanity …

No, not for egging on the January 6 insurrection—which he should be thrown in the slammer for—but on some idiotic charges about the impropriety of what he may have done years before he was a politician with two women related to hush money he paid them to keep their traps shut seven years ago when he was a politician.

Honestly, I really believe that this is a trial to make a national name for Alvin Bragg, the district attorney who has made New York City into a crime playground and is wasting taxpayers’ money on a case that is so thin that the federal government didn’t even want to touch it.

Bragg has higher ambitions, and all of a sudden, he is the most famous prosecutor in the world for taking on this case.

And funny, Trump—who I wouldn’t vote for ever again because of the way he handled himself after he lost the presidential election to Joe Biden—has gained greatly in the polls since he was indicted, so if this move was made to squelch his presidential campaign, the joke is on who?

Anyway, tonight at sunset begins the first night of Passover, and that is really what I want to focus on today.

It is a joyous night and a joyous eight-day holiday, and since the former President does have Jewish relatives, perhaps he and they will participate in the first Seder tonight.

But I know my family certainly will.

We are keeping it small this year, just myself, my wife, my son and my mother, and that is it for both Seder nights.

Small can be better, as we can keep this as intimate as possible.

Here is what I had to say about this great holiday way back in Rant #1,185 on April 14, 2014, and the only difference today from nine years ago is that my father won’t be there to help us celebrate the strength and resilience of the Jewish people back then and into today.

“For Jews around the world, tonight is the first night of Passover, which means tonight is the first Seder that we have, the first of two during the eight-day observance.

Passover celebrates the Jews' flight from Egypt in Biblical times, and it also solidifies the fact that the Jewish religion remains a strong one.

It is a family holiday, one where young and old alike gather to go over the traditions of the holiday, first and foremost, and at the center of the celebration, the recitation of "The Four Questions."

Matzoh signifies the most visible link to the holiday.

When the Jews, who were kept in slavery by the Egyptians but were later expelled, fled Egypt, they had to do it quickly. Whatever foodstuffs they brought with them had to be used quickly, and thus, any materials that they used to create bread did not have time to rise, and became a cracker-like food known as matzoh.

So matzoh, rather than bread, is eaten on this holiday, and personally, I love matzoh, and for eight days, that is what I exist on.

Matzoh may be the most visible link to Passover, but the most important link during the holiday is known as "The Four Questions," when the youngest children attending the Seder ask the adults "Why is this night different than all other nights?"

Actually, anyone can read "The Four Questions," but the younger people usually do it. It is the real centerpiece of the celebration, and it is something that all participants look forward to.

The first two nights are the Seder nights, with families gathering to look at the Jews' flight from Egypt, and the modern Seders are real family gatherings, with the traditions reinforced.

Modern influences are also included, and new Kosher for Passover foods are always being created to whet the appetites of all who are present.

And other things permeate the Seder, including world events.

Passover is my favorite holiday of the year. The only gifts given on Passover are those of families being together, and that is all that is asked.

The holiday takes lots of preparation, lots of cooking, but it is all well worth it.

For my non-Jewish friends, this is an interesting time of year, as the holidays for Jews and non-Jews kind of run into each other.

Palm Sunday was this past Sunday, Good Friday is on Friday, and Easter Sunday is coming up this Sunday.

To Jew and non-Jew alike, have great holidays this year. Through the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these holidays ground us, and really bring into focus what is truly important in our lives.

We all need this affirmation of the family as the most important thing in our lives, and these holidays give us the forum to not only celebrate the holiday, but to celebrate the strength of our families.

So when I am all matzohed out, I really don't mind, because I am with my family, and that is the most important thing, isn't it?”

Yes it is.

Have a joyous holiday.