The Gift of Passover

This past week, we celebrated Passover, the Jewish holiday that recognizes our freedom from Pharoh and journey out of Egypt. I was fortunate enough to be invited to my sister’s in-laws where they hosted second Seder for over 25 people.

It was loud. It was long. At times, it was boring. However, the reason I say the gift of Passover is because of the family values that reminded me why this holiday is so special.

Each and every year, my sister’s husband and her in-laws both hold their own Seder at the same table. How you might ask? Well, when you have a table for 25 people, the two ends are not that close.

At one end of the table is Joey, my sister’s father-in-law, hosting the big Seder. At the other end is Zvi (sister’s husband), my sister, myself and their five children. The attentiveness these kids show there is unbelievable. Considering this Seder could last upwards of five hours and the oldest child is only twelve, that is saying something.  

The joy on these kids’ faces while hearing a story they also have heard hundreds of times is astounding. The fact they try to envision themselves leaving Egypt on the way to freedom shows how much they believe in G-d and the story of Passover. The sheer patience they have to withstand this process each and every year demonstrates their commitment to G-d.

While other kids are screaming, eager fathers are asking tough questions about the holiday, mothers are clearing the table, it’s as if this is the one place one earth everyone wants to be. To them, this family time, while also remembering the story of our ancestors, this is heaven. These are the people they don’t just live next to, or even with, but the people who they choose to spend each and every day with.

The holiday might bring extended family together, but in the end, they are already together because they choose to be. We should all be so lucky to feel the same way about our families.