Preparing for Passover by Rabbi Daniel Jackson

During the last several weeks, the regular weekly reading of the Torah was accompanied by a series of special readings, starting with Parshat Shekalim that announces the annual obligation to pay the ritual half shekel tax for the maintenance of the Temple.  In so doing, these readings proclaim that this year's holy season of Passover has begun. 

In practical terms, in every Jewish home, this is the time to clean house.  Chametz, or leavening, permitted throughout the year, suddenly becomes a thing of dread-forbidden in any quantity.  At an increasing pace, culminating on the night before Passover, Jewish households search out even the smallest speck of Chametz and cast it out.  This week, a neighbor removed the seats and mats from his car, practically to the rocker panels, thoroughly cleaning all traces of cookies, chips, and cake left by his children to and from school. 

Most of us, however, wait until after Purim.  Purim provides an opportunity to get rid of lots of Chametz-cakes, cookies, pasta, cereal, whiskey-anything with a leavening agent has got to go.  We even give it away to our neighbors as "gifts of food". 

Tags: passover passover seder and learning< jewish culture rituals