It's that time of year again! Jews celebrate the Israelites becoming free from the Egyptians with a huge dinner, a lot of Manischewitz wine, a game of hide and seek with a piece of unleavened bread, and a long week without being able to eat wheat products. We love seders, singing, and seeing our family, but sometimes it's hard to say goodbye to bread, bagels, pizza, and cake for a week. We do it to recognize our past and our Jewish heritage, but there is no doubt that we have at least one breakdown during the week. Here are the stages of keeping Kosher for Passover that all Jews know way too well.
1. Determination
Passover is approaching so the only logical way to prepare for it is to eat as many bread and wheat products as you can the week before. You know that keeping Kosher for Passover will make your entire family proud so you're doing this for them. It's only one week after all. It can't be that bad, right? You did it last year!
2. Confidence
You've successfully completed the first couple of days and haven't even thought about eating non-Kosher foods that often. Your parents and grandparents are cheering you on so you have all the support you need. You can do this!
3. Withdrawal
As delicious as they are, you start to get sick of all the matzoh, macaroons, and Potato Stix. Here comes the phase where bread is the only thing on your mind. Not a minute goes by when you don't miss the heavenly taste of a big sandwich so you can't help but consider eating one. You're becoming weak and can no longer imagine finishing the week strong.
4. Desperation
Your withdrawal has hit its peak and has become way too severe. You start dreaming about bread and doubt why you decided to keep Kosher in the first place. The only solution? Lock yourself in your room and don't come out until the week is over. The outside world is way too tempting.
5. Hope
There's only one day left and you've already made it this far! You can see the light at the end of the dark, dark tunnel and you begin to realize this was all worth it. Embracing your Jewish heritage wasn't that bad. One more day until you can indulge in a feast of bagels, pizza, and cookies.
6. Pride
You did it! You've completed another year of keeping Kosher for Passover and you've made your family and the entire Jewish community proud. It was a roller coaster of a week but now it's over and you couldn't feel any better or more proud of yourself. So long matzoh...until next year!
