Passover is a holiday that looms above us.� The mere thought of cleaning our homes, and the madness it entails can be a huge task.� As a mother of five, I have found that food travels into spaces that one never imagined�bookshelves, closets, behind the couch.� �Seek and ye shall find� is a verse that is spoken with trepidation during these times of cleaning house.

As Purim ended, the thoughts of Passover began.� Even our local supermarket joined the band-wagon with a two for one bleach sale, cleaning sponges, and the infamous paper towels all below the usual marked-up prices.� Cleaning products were moved to outside the store, and at the end of every isle.� The spray bottles, now in hot-pink and bright neon orange, jumped out at me, at every turn of my cart as I shopped for my daily necessities.

Last year, being the good American-raised daughter that I am, had a stocked closet of matzoh, farfel, matzoh meal, tomato ketchup, tomato sauce, jam, jelly, canned goods�need I go on? It was my pride and joy.� Yet, I had to schlep to markets beyond my local neighborhood to procure the goods.� And, I realized that as Passover approached all of the above-said goods were available in my local markets, at lower prices!

So, this year, I decided to do the unthinkable�wait.� Yes, it is hard to prevent the genetic instincts to hoard Passover items a month prior to the blessed event. But, I found that I actually enjoyed the time.� I cleaned my kids� closets with ease, not angst.� I had them help me organize, and sift through unnecessary items that could be donated to those in greater need.� I found this to be the easiest Passover preparation period�ever! Why? I had taken the anxiety out of the madness. It was a wonderful revelation�Passover with no guilt, no trepidation, and no fear of the leaven madness!

In prior years, I would attend a lecture given by our local Rabbi about Passover preparation.� He would give a basic speech about necessary things that one must do to prepare their home for Passover.� The Rabbi talked of koshering the kitchen, and of the process of burning one�s leavened bread.� The Rabbi always started his speech by saying �Passover is not Spring Cleaning! So many people confuse the two! It is a time for reflection, and a time for family!�� Often I would walk away from the lecture wishing I could put the words of the Rabbi into practice�to take the anxiety of cleaning out of the preparation�to view the holiday as one of our freedom to celebrate as Jewish people together with our loved ones.� I never thought I would be able to put the Rabbi�s words into action.� The task was an impossible goal.

At this time, I find that I am at peace with the concept of Passover. I am truly thankful for the fact that it is a holiday that brings my family from near and far, together in one room to recount the miracles of freeing the Jewish people from Egypt.� The holiday is one for children to shine, and adults to listen.� It is a time to eat the matzoh, and remember the miracles of the Jewish people seeking refuge from hundreds of years of bondage and slavery.� And, as my family eats the matzoh, I will gladly watch the crumbs flutter to the clean floor.� Each savory bite is a symbol of our origins, and our means to survive.

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.

(Ariel Blacher – YWN)