If you saw Fiddler on the Roof, you became aware of just how
important traditions are in the Jewish culture. In this respect, Passover has always
maintained a link to our Jewish upbringing, even though we have long since
stopped practicing most of the other tenents of the Jewish faith.
This year though, things went a little differently.
THE PAPA: ….On this night we dip not once but three times.
(Take parsley and pass it around). BAW-RUCH
A-TAW….
SON 1: Excuse me, is
this organically grown parsley without any pesticides or non-organic
fertilizers?
THE PAPA: Who know’s, just dip it and eat it, how much could
one little bite of non-organic parsley harm you.
SON 2: Is this Salt
water? I can’t eat any salt, could I just have some plain Dasani water to dip
it in?
THE PAPA: Now we take the bitter herb and say the prayer
(takes a piece of horseradish root) BAW-RUCH
A-TAW …
SON 1: I read once that
horseradish can cause cancer
SON 2: No, it
prevents cancer
SON 1: No No! It
distinctly causes it due to the uptake of glacinocides that interfere with the
free radicals.
SON 2: No my dumb
brother – the exact opposite.
SON 1: In any case I’m
not eating it
SON 2: Suit yourself,
Dad give me the horseradish
THE PAPA: Now we take the horseradish and dip it into the
choroset ….
SON 1: Uh, does that
have nuts in it? I no longer can eat nuts since I found out last year that I
have a nut allergy.
SON 2: Does that
contain Apples? Apples contain high levels of Arsenic that can cause cancer.
SON 1: Are they organic
Apples?
THE PAPA: …We eat the Matzah in remembrance of the unleavened
bread that our forefathers ate when pharaoh chased them in the desert (Takes
piece of Matzah) BAW-RUCH A-TAW ….
SON 1: Excuse me,
does that have wheat in it? I can’t eat any wheat.
SON 2: I can eat some
wheat, but does it have gluten? I don’t eat any gluten?
The Momma: We’ll now eat our Traditional Passover dinner,
together. Dad cooked it just like he
always did – Matzah Ball Soup, Roast Lamb,
Asparagus, couscous……
SON 1: Wait mom, did
you say Lamb!? I don’t eat any red meat
SON 2: Is there gluten
in the Matzah Balls? The chicken stock – was it made with GMO free hormone
free, free range chickens? I can’t eat it if it isn’t.
SON 1: Does the
couscous have any wheat?
THE PAPA: So my fine children. It is time for the Four
Questions. This year however, I am going narrow it down to just One! “Why is
this night different from all other nights?”
SON 1: I know – “On
this night we dip three times instead of none……”
SON 2: “We eat only
unlevened bread and sit reclined…..”
THE PAPA: No! I’ll tell you why this night is
different from all other nights. On all other nights we just eat our Damned
meal and don’t nit-pick over every damned thing it has in it. This year we celebrate Passover in our home, but by God next
year, we’re going out for Chinese!