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- All Things Passover
Every holiday, our table is graced with an array of wonderful friends from diverse backgrounds. It fills us with immense joy and gratitude to bring people together around the dining table, exposing each other to our traditions. For Passover, every year some of our guests experience the Seder for the first time, joining us to celebrate freedom. We delve into the Haggadah and savor copious amounts of natural wine. We indulge in matzo ball soup, a divine assortment of salads, and a 12-hour braised Yemenite-style beef shank. BLESS UP! And for dessert, we love to serve a decadent cheesecake topped with strawberries and pomegranate seeds, perfectly complemented by a glass of red wine to cap off the beautiful evening.
I mean really…what is not to love???
Today’s Agenda: All Things Passover!
History + Origin: Passover
Passover, an ancient Jewish festival, commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. According to the Bible, God instructed Moses to ask Pharaoh to release the Israelites, but Pharaoh refused. Consequently, God sent ten plagues, culminating in the death of every firstborn Egyptian. However, the Israelites were spared by marking their doors with the blood of a sacrificial lamb. After this final plague, Pharaoh relented, allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt in haste, hence their bread didn't have time to rise, leading to the tradition of unleavened bread or matzah.
Also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover lasts for eight days. Today, Jews worldwide celebrate Passover with a “Seder” meal, retelling the Exodus story through specific foods and rituals, including matzah and the recitation of the Haggadah.
The dishes served during the Seder may vary based on family traditions and regional customs, but here are some common examples found on our Seder table:
1. Matzah - Unleavened bread symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, often served as a side or base for other dishes.
2. Haroset - A sweet mixture of dried fruits, nuts, wine, and spices symbolizing the mortar used by Jewish slaves.
3. Matzah Ball Soup - A soup made with matzo meal and chicken broth, typically served as a starter.
4. Gefilte Fish - Ground fish mixed with matzo meal, eggs, and seasonings, served as an appetizer, cold, with chrain.
5. Chrain - A beet and horseradish spread representing the bitterness of slavery. This is one of our all-time favorite condiments.
6. Chopped Liver - Seared chicken liver, chopped or pureed and mixed with sautéed onions, hard-boiled eggs, and seasonings. So addictive.
