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gxp

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Apr 23, 2003 09:21

Obligatory mid-Passover-week food gripe: There comes a time, usually towards the end of the 8 day gastro-intestinal and culinary torture otherwise known as Passover, when I understand why Jews wandering the desert for 40 years looked at manna as a heavenly gift. For those not clued into the science of the Bible, manna has tentatively been ( Read more... )

Comments 9

uberchang April 23 2003, 09:48:24 UTC

one of my college roommates was muslim, and during ramadan i fasted with him for moral support. definitely a good thing to do every once in a while - it makes you appreciate what you have by taking it away for a time, and helps you focus on the more important things in life.

hmm, maybe i should do one day of ramadan, one day of passover, and a day of lent. so what mazta type food tastes the least bad? :)

Re: gxp April 23 2003, 11:51:32 UTC

It all tastes equally something... That "something" is ok in the first few days, but gets really bland and repetative as the week drags on. The thing is that all of those foods are made out of matza which is essentially just a combination of flour and water.

marm April 23 2003, 11:36:42 UTC

I think it's rather like Lent, in that it helps you to identify and to feel some of the suffering that you're supposed to appriciate. That being said, I'm certainly glad that Protestantism has neither Lent nor Passover. :P

Re: gxp April 23 2003, 11:54:43 UTC

it helps you to identify and to feel some of the suffering that you're supposed to appriciate

Yeah, us jewish kids know all about the suffering of our ancestors and our supposed appreciation of it. By the time we turn 5 our experience with jewish guilt is quite a bit more than theoretical.

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Re: gxp April 23 2003, 18:05:15 UTC

Thanks! All of these suggestions will have to wait till next year since I only have tomorrow to go and at night I'll be celebrating with a large plate of Italian food. Now, what do you have against lamb? That is perhaps one of my favorite foods. This past weekend my dad made lamb as a sign of solidarity with Cahtolics everywhere. Yum!

Straight dope is my hero... nadini April 23 2003, 14:37:52 UTC

The Ashkenazic rabbis (probably around 10th or 11th Century AD) in Germany also prohibited what they called kitniot -- basically, anything that was sold in grain-like form or might be confused with grain. Their prohibition included rice, millet, corn, and legumes. When in doubt, prohibit, on the grounds that it is better to be more strict in avoidance of foods than to be less strict and potentially violate the Biblical commandment not to eat leaven. Of course, corn (maize) was not known to Europe at the time, but when the New World crop made its appearance a few centuries later, it was quickly identified as kitniot and thus prohibited for Passover ( ... )

Re: Straight dope is my hero... gxp April 23 2003, 14:55:56 UTC

Is this verbatum from your brain? Because that's a lot of cool, but useless knowledge.

Since i don't buy my millet or even corn at the local farmer's market, I can read the labels on the boxes, therefore there is no threat of me confusing it with the forbidden grain. I think next Passover will be an easy one. :) I hate when people make decisions that they think are in your best interest, designed to protect you from yourself and stupidity, but in reality end up only hurting you. What, were they all Democrats back then?

nadini April 23 2003, 14:43:48 UTC

I forgot to mention the link that I got that from.
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcornsta.html
I read that a while ago and I knew it would come in handy someday. I love the Straight Dope site. Very cool.

Re: gxp April 23 2003, 14:56:40 UTC

Ahhh... well that answers that question :)