pantryslut

OK, I lied. I'm not attracted to celebrating Passover just because of the food (though the food helps). Nor the four cups of wine and resultant tipsy singing, as I told a certain someone on Sunday.

No, it's that I find the ritual and its complex of metaphors very moving, very powerful -- very renewing. No surprise; it's been field tested for the last several thousand years. It's food *and* a book. :)

We come from a narrow place, seeking freedom. Last year, I was in a narrow place, for sure. How much my life has improved in such a short time. But we have to learn what to do with our freedom, how to honor it, and how not to turn into oppressors ourselves. There's still work to do. That, in part, is why we revisit this every year. And this is just one aspect of a very rich, multifaceted text.

(And you all thought I was going to quote that bit about how love without criticism is not true love.)

I made the right decision in not hosting a seder this year. This way, I got to attend someone else's event, and all I had to do was chop and peel some carrots and be my sociable self. It's nice to go to other people's seders, read their hagaddah, sing their songs, learn about their traditions and hear their stories. I had a great time last night. I was totally crashing by the end of the night, but filled with a warm glow.

And visions of hopping wells. Miriam really had a well follow her around Sinai for all those years? It wasn't just me who envisioned the classic stone cylinder and wooden canopy, bouncing up and down like an eager puppydog, was it? I know they probably mean that a spring appeared magically wherever she camped, or something, but that's not the mental image I'm stuck with.

P.S. I didn't have a drop to drink. It was all sparkling apple cider for me; I am just naturally giddy :)

P.P.S. especially for