She pulled a "bait and switch" on you, and that's what you don't like. Maybe you feel that she has a hidden agenda, which is emerging after all these years. I wouldn't like it either. I have never understood why many assimilated Jews, who eat bacon and lobster and are otherwise unaffiliated, go kosher for Passover. Hey, why not go traditional for a week, it's not that long to put up with the matzo, and then you can feel virtuous? Some cite the importance of the story/symbolism behind it, but symbolism isn't what it used to be (does anyone read Ibsen, whose plays are fraught with symbolism, voluntarily any more?) My mother kept kosher for Passover until I was 7 or 8, then realized how hypocritical it was. She quit, never to buy or eat a matzo again. Have I missed out on anything? Not at all. I know the story, so I don't need the repetition. If your wife wants to do Passover in a big way, you're not going to stop her, so your kids will realize that there are many ways to celebrate (or not celebrate) a holiday. Few families do everything together these days, as they did in the 1950s and 60s, so they may not even notice. Nothing positive ever comes of anything done by force or with resentment. Keep in mind that this is a Jewish forum, so most of the comments will not be in your favor or mine.
Jerry - 9 years ago
If you can't give up something-anything for eight days, you have a big problem and need help. I am a Catholic married to a Jew, It will be 50 years in February, WE keep a Kosher house and the children were raised Jewish, I went to church on Sunday and my spouse and the children went to shul on Saturday. I often accompanied them and was even asked to serve on the Board, I of course refused since I was not Jewish. This year was a little difficult because Passover started on Good Friday. We solved that problem by having a meatless Seder. Each year I look forward to and observe all of our Holydays.
She pulled a "bait and switch" on you, and that's what you don't like. Maybe you feel that she has a hidden agenda, which is emerging after all these years. I wouldn't like it either. I have never understood why many assimilated Jews, who eat bacon and lobster and are otherwise unaffiliated, go kosher for Passover. Hey, why not go traditional for a week, it's not that long to put up with the matzo, and then you can feel virtuous? Some cite the importance of the story/symbolism behind it, but symbolism isn't what it used to be (does anyone read Ibsen, whose plays are fraught with symbolism, voluntarily any more?) My mother kept kosher for Passover until I was 7 or 8, then realized how hypocritical it was. She quit, never to buy or eat a matzo again. Have I missed out on anything? Not at all. I know the story, so I don't need the repetition. If your wife wants to do Passover in a big way, you're not going to stop her, so your kids will realize that there are many ways to celebrate (or not celebrate) a holiday. Few families do everything together these days, as they did in the 1950s and 60s, so they may not even notice. Nothing positive ever comes of anything done by force or with resentment. Keep in mind that this is a Jewish forum, so most of the comments will not be in your favor or mine.
If you can't give up something-anything for eight days, you have a big problem and need help. I am a Catholic married to a Jew, It will be 50 years in February, WE keep a Kosher house and the children were raised Jewish, I went to church on Sunday and my spouse and the children went to shul on Saturday. I often accompanied them and was even asked to serve on the Board, I of course refused since I was not Jewish. This year was a little difficult because Passover started on Good Friday. We solved that problem by having a meatless Seder. Each year I look forward to and observe all of our Holydays.