Passover is a joyous holiday when we Jews celebrate our freedom from bondage in Egypt. Every year at the Seder we retell the story of our ancestors who followed Moses across a desert in search of a new home in the Promised Land.
The Bible tells us that these ancient Hebrews left in such haste they didn’t wait for their baking dough to rise. Thus in their desert wanderings they ate the unleavened bread known as matzo.
And so every year during the eight days of Passover, we Jews eat this “bread of affliction” to honor that ancient struggle for a homeland.
I’ve blogged about a Passover experience of my own when I was shopping for the Seder one year and met with a minor catastrophe. (See Passover Shopping List)
Now here’s another Passover story you might enjoy!
Last year during the holiday week my friend Helene and I happened to have theater tickets and met at a Broadway restaurant for dinner before the show.
Once we were seated we happened to strike up a conversation with a couple at the next table who were tourists visiting from Wisconsin. They were delighted to have met two such friendly New Yorkers, and we were happy to play Big Apple ambassadors.
When the waiter came to take our order, Helene and I asked for matzo instead of bread. Soon the meal arrived and we were engrossed in our own conversation when we heard one of our new Wisconsin friends call the waiter back.
“May we have some of those large flat crackers the ladies at the next table seem to be enjoying?”, we heard him ask.
There’s really no place like New York for the holidays, is there?
– Dana Susan Lehrman
i am rather fond of those large flat crackers myself. Did you send this one to Metropolitan Diary?
Actually I did, but the bums didn't print it!
Actually, it’s sad how many have limited knowledge of people outside their culture or religion.
Flat, bumpy bread is aways a good conversation starter. What did you say it was called? Love your piece.
Thanx Alice, honestly don’t remember but we probably gave them a quick matzo lesson!