Posted on April 12, 2011
Of all of the Jewish holidays that have the potential to “sneak up on you”…Passover is certainly not one of them. To me, Passover is like the equivalent of a freight train – I can hear it coming from a mile away and try to avoid it at all costs. In fact, though I consider myself a fairly religious person, I’m the first one to admit that I often have no idea what date corresponds to a Jewish holiday in any given year. This is especially confusing for my non-Jewish friends who start preparing for Christmas a month (or two or three) in advance and can’t understand how I never know when Chanukah is…at least not until I consult my calendar or see someone else’s chanukiah burning brightly on my way home from work.1. Don’t plague others because you can’t find the brand of matzah you’d like to purchase. When shopping, be sure to move your cart in a way that ensures that others have access to the aisle as well.
2. When singing “Who Knows One” fingers and toes are needed to count. Be mindful, and do not ram your carts into others rendering their digits useless (or in pain).
3. Don’t make others feel afflicted by their Passover grocery receipt. If you have coupons that you know you aren’t going to use, give them to someone else in the store that would find them useful.
4. You’re busy, I’m busy, we’re all busy…but while you’re already shopping, consider adding an extra item or two to your cart and donating it to an organization that helps those who are disadvantaged provide Passover meals for their families.
5. Be polite, courteous and helpful. Speak nicely to the people that are taking up the whole matzah meal aisle as well as to those who assist you in the store. Consider helping your cashier bag your items as this will help them, help you and help those in line behind you.
Best wishes for a Happy Passover – a Chag Kasher V’Sameach!
