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Original poster

A Pesach/Passover thread

127 replies

EishetChayil · 28/03/2022 21:46

I tried to start one for Purim but didn't get any takers!

If anyone fancies a Pesach chat, I'm up for it.

I just did an order on Sabeny (a very useful grocery & sundries website, if you're not familiar with it - delivers all over the UK) after planning some meals, so I'm feeling weirdly on top of things.

Haven't even thought about cleaning yet.

OP posts:

spacehardware · 29/03/2022 20:43

My husband is much too lapsed and I am much too lazy to turn the kitchen properly, but I really really love Seder

doodleygirl · 29/03/2022 20:52

Just booked to have my ovens cleaned, I love a clean oven

TickledOnion · 29/03/2022 20:53

I’ve got my pesach spreadsheets out! I have a meal plan, cleaning plan, shopping list and to do list. It seems like a lot of effort but means I only buy what I need. I hate wasting food especially when it’s triple the normal price.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Events & celebrations

duvetdayforeveryone · 29/03/2022 20:59

@TickledOnion

@TickledOnion What is on your meal plan? :)

upinaballoon · 29/03/2022 21:46

EllaDisenchanted, thank you for your reply. Please may I ask why you don't use your usual appliances?

Twentypast · 29/03/2022 23:05

@Peanutssuck

Following. Is it acceptable to say Chag sameach, or have I got the wrong holiday?

You can say Chag Sameach for any holiday. Or you can specify the holiday. Chag Pesach Sameach. Both are correct.

I'm looking forward to the first seder with family for two years.

Davros · 29/03/2022 23:14

Is Sabeny well known? I can think of a few people who would be interested in that.
DH is Jewish but very far from observant other than supporting Spurs! The first time I went to Pesach at his sister's, I saw the plate in the middle of the table with a bone on it and asked who'd had the Chinese takeaway! His family is a lot of fun and don't offend easily.

knitnerd90 · 30/03/2022 05:00

I am splurging this year on cleaners! Having family for the first time since 2019.

Bells3032 · 30/03/2022 05:41

Hey. Yay. I have done my order this year with taupach. I hate pesach shopping the prices are total nonsense.

Lots of nonjews interested in this thread. It's been two years since my ama I realised as it was the start of lockdown. Maybe I'll make another one in the morning

EllaDisenchanted · 30/03/2022 07:42

@upinaballoon @Toddlerteaplease so on Pesach we have to remove all chametz (leaven products) from our home as they are forbidden to be in our possession over pesach. Anything large crumb sized or bigger. So the requirement to clean is technically to check. And as I like to remind me husband it's technically his mitzva (commandment) to check so I'm just helping him out. Anyway if you've ever had a toddler eat cheerios (chametz) you will know they can get into the most unusual of places. Hence the (very very) deep spring clean.
Anyway, the laws of not eating Chametz on Pesach are exceptionally strict and detailed and a lot of people have also very strong traditions about what they can and can't eat on Pesach. We use an entirely different set of pots and pans, dishes, appliances cutlery, glasses, very carefully clean and burn out the oven, clean and (usually) cover the sides, clean and kasher the sinks, clean out cupboards and line them. Deep clean the fridge and freezer, and line them, using up the food there for the weeks in advance. And I mean deep clean, cleaning out the rubber seals etc. Anywhere we eat is also extremely thoroughly scrubbed and covered.
We use 2 complete sets of everything throughout the year for milk and meat, and 2 complete separate sets on Pesach, so when I was a kid te Pesach dishes were stored in the loft and it was a lot of hours to change over (put away our chametz dishes) for the duration of Pesach, and being down the Pesach kitchen equipment and dishes and clean and cover the sides.
I personally have 2 large boxes stored in my garage. We change over and then cook a lot.
Pesach cleaning with toddlers is also ... interesting (aka cheerio monsters. Teenagers who can take out kids are in high demand in the days before Pesach.
Anyway every family has their own traditions and approaches like I sad, but it is so so worth it when you sit down at the seder table, after weeks and weeks of effort. The excitement as a kid the week before pesach of coming down and the kitchen transformed (sides covered in taped down thick wipeable plastic ) and all the Pesach stuff out, is indescribable. There's a lot of build up.

Oizys · 30/03/2022 07:50

Seeing a Pesach thread has made me so happy. With covid we haven’t celebrated properly in two years.

My brother is coming to stay at my mums so we can all be together. His gf hasn’t experienced Pesach before so I’m excited for her. Also first time my 2 & 3 year olds will get to celebrate properly

homeedregret · 30/03/2022 08:18

Really happy to see this thread, I watch a few Jewish you tubers and it's all very interesting. There was a TV series called Strictly Kosher a few years back and the Passover cleaning was fascinating. I must admit I was cleaning my oven last week for the first time in a few years and I was reminded of the Jewish families who had to lift the whole cooker out to clean behind it. How would you manage that level of deep cleaning if you are working full time?

Toddlerteaplease · 30/03/2022 09:09

@EllaDisenchanted thanks. And I thought preparing for holy week liturgy was hard work!!

spacehardware · 30/03/2022 09:17

"How would you manage that level of deep cleaning if you are working full time?"

Some people I know don't, they tape off the edges of the built in cooker etc and don't use it, and have a small table top one they use just for Passover. There are various degrees of observance over these things

Avocadobacardi · 30/03/2022 09:28

I am still in denial and have done nothing. I don't do a big change over or anything but I do have my matzo's, all my favourites and most importantly my big red cheese. First seder for a couple of years and it's just a small one for us, my parents are getting too old to cope with lots of people around so keeping it small and hopefully relaxed.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/03/2022 09:37

Is it that time of year! I'm not Jewish but I grew up reading the All of a Kind Family books and I always wanted to go to a Seder meal and dress up for Purim.

SpringLobelia · 30/03/2022 10:27

Hello! We are a mixed religious family so tend to do a little bit of everything. (Christmas, Pesach, etc). I am attending a seder with some friends - all of varying degrees of Orthodoxy so we have a vegetarian meal/buffet to cover any concerns about kosher foods. I plan to take my egg salad which is perfect on matza.

I'd love to hear other meal plans as I will also do a seder at home.

Growing up we would have;

matzaball soup
gefilte fish (I prefer cold but also fried)
roast chicken
pears poached in wine

Gorgeous.

GalesThisMorning · 30/03/2022 10:40

I'm not observant but will have a very small and pared back seder at home. I miss my larger, extended family who will be having a much more elaborate affair! They live abroad and I miss them at the holidays

Thank you for the thread, you have reminded me to buy matzo meal. Last year I ground matzos for my matzo balls but it wasn't the same!

Original poster

EishetChayil · 30/03/2022 14:05

Judaism! The world's greatest inside joke

Sorry - I only just checked this thread after starting it a few days ago. Been busy with preparation, ironically. We've started early this year as DH is midway through his last uni placement.

OP posts:

FelicityPike · 30/03/2022 14:17

I hope you all have a wonderful time.

SpringLobelia · 30/03/2022 14:20

Does anyone have a fail safe recipe for matzoballs? Mine always end up like rocks.

I love the Sabeny site thanks @EishetChayil

MyBeloved · 30/03/2022 14:55

@springlobelia
I use 4 oz mazo meal,2 beaten eggs, the fat from the top of chicken soup (once it has gone cold) and a bit of water if necessary. I chill the mixture for 20 mins covered in fridge, then using wet hands, I roll into kneidlech. Chill again until needed. Then I pop them into the soup for half an hour. Come up fluffy and delicious each time.

SpringLobelia · 30/03/2022 15:06

[quote MyBeloved]@springlobelia
I use 4 oz mazo meal,2 beaten eggs, the fat from the top of chicken soup (once it has gone cold) and a bit of water if necessary. I chill the mixture for 20 mins covered in fridge, then using wet hands, I roll into kneidlech. Chill again until needed. Then I pop them into the soup for half an hour. Come up fluffy and delicious each time.[/quote]
Lovely. :) Thank you I will try that.

Davros · 30/03/2022 17:52

Don't forget the Palwin!

Daleksatemyshed · 30/03/2022 18:08

Thank you for starting this thread @EishetChayil, I've always been interested in other people's religious observances and the cross over between the different religions so this is really interesting to me.
I hope you don't mind if I ask a question? I know Catholics give up something for Lent and I can see the cleaning as a ritual cleansing in Judaism but why do you have to change all the pots and plates?

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