From the Hebrew month of Adar some time in February through the joyful holiday of Purim on the 14th day of that month to the most important holiday of all— Passover — which happens during the Hebrew month of Nissan in March or April, late winter and early spring is a time of great celebration for Jews. As a Jewish woman, I love honoring this time of year with my holidays. It’s a time when the darkness begins to lift, the first blossoms appear, and renewal is everywhere.
Adar is the month where we set our intentions on increasing joy and beauty in our lives and in the lives of others. I give presents of flowers, great wine, and scented candles to friends, family and even to myself! (Peonies, yes! Byredo Rose candles!) I make the bed with my fanciest sheets and spritz them with lavender perfume. I want joy, beauty and loveliness all around me. Actually, I think of it as a mitzvah, a sacred obligation, to find joy and to celebrate all of life’s good things— friends, flowers, and beauty. Even in the darkest of times, we must celebrate life and all its wonders.
Tradition Shared
Which leads me to Passover where once again as we do every year, we travel with our ancestors on the journey from bondage to liberation, reading the Haggadah, telling the story of Exodus at the Seder, asking the four questions, welcoming in Elijah. And Passover leads me to thinking about cooking! What will I make for friends and family? How will we celebrate this wonderful moment of freedom?
Step one! My table becomes a sacred place. I bring out my mother-in-law’s Syrian tablecloth embroidered with silver thread to match the silver Seder plate, the candlesticks, the Kiddush cup. Here’s a picture. Notice the bottles of Manischewitz concord grape wine. If you know, you know. Not to worry, we have the good stuff, too. But, hey, TRADITION!
How will you be celebrating this time of year? I’d love to know.