First, apologies for the use of the Ashkenaz. I will usually very strongly resist use of that spelling, preferring the Sefard/Israeli pronounciation but... well... it rhymed.
The period leading up to Pesach (Passover) is always a bit mad. By "a bit" I really mean "completely". This year was no exception.
So, aside from needing to be up early today to make it to hospital in time for the group birthing clinic, this morning I got up early to continue the cleaning that others had been doing for the preceding days and mum had been doing overnight until 3:30 - and which will continue this morning!
Why do we do this?
This is the time of year when we remove all chametz (leaven) from our homes, such that for the week of Pesach we're unable to see any in our homes.
As a backup plan, anything we neglect to get rid of, we sell and ritually disown ourselves of. But realy that's a 'just in case' measure - the cleaning is truly manic, an attempt to literally rid ourselves and our lives of leaven (there are many interpretations for what this represents, if people are interested we can go into that in a few days).
And this is what Jews worldwide have been doing these last few days.
Manically, neurotically, fastidiously and with more than a touch of obsession-compulsion cleaning our homes and lives.
With this in mind, is it any wonder that all Billy Crystal characters are a bit nuts?
Chag Kasher v'Sameach to all the Jews out there, Happy Easter to all the Christians and to everyone else... just enjoy the long weekend!
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