Preparing for Pesach – Yesterday and Today

Our first year married we thought we could swing the Pesach cleaning ourselves in 2 days- boy, were we wrong!

The second year, with a six-month-old-baby, we had just moved into a new apartment, which was basically clean already. A friend of my husband’s, who had helped us with the move, and slept over that night, decided to extend his visit to three weeks, which spanned Pesach and the week after as well. Mmmm…

The next year, with a one and a half year old, we needed more planning and ingenuity… My husband took two weeks off work to clean the house while I continued with my regular schedule. By the time Pesach arrived, he had gone somewhat crazy, calling himself Vasili and speaking to me in Russian (even though I don’t understand it!) Poor guy, the tips of his fingers were white because of all the cleaning supplies he’d been using (without gloves!)

Now, with every passing year, and a growing number of children, who are lively and love hiding chametz in extremely ingenuous places, we use all the outside help we can get. This, of course, results in enormous babysitting and cleaning bills, but we take it all in stride so that we can make it to Pesach in one piece!

An extra special visitor came to stay with us this year, from Purim to Lag B’Omer- my mother-in-law! Thankfully, she is not one of those stereotypical, overbearing and critical mothers-in-law that have assisted in earning that role the beloved title “shvigger”. She is kind, funny, wise, great with the kids, and what’s best- happens to LOVE Pesach cleaning! (Please don’t be jealous!) You know all those nooks and crannies in the house that you just never get around to cleaning, even on Erev Pesach? Those really annoying attics that you need a ladder to access or those dark corners behind overbearing closets? My mother-in-law is not daunted by them- she attacks them with courage and strength, like a warrior! I’m so grateful to her. I need to buy her a really nice gift before Pesach, any ideas? 😉

Now, a few days before Pesach, I’m facing my yearly PPS dilemma- Pre-Pesach Starvation! This problem chases me year after year and I can’t seem to rid myself of it. There are always one/two days in the week before Pesach when my kitchen is free of chametz, but not yet ready for Pesach. No chametz, no kosher-for-Pesach, nothing. Hence, the starvation. Did I mention that my Israeli kitchen is the size of your vestibule? It’s ridiculous, but that’s my situation. So all my Pesach pots, pans, dishes, etc. are stored comfortably under my bed all year round. Moving everything back and forth on Erev Pesach from the bedroom to the kitchen is loads of fun, especially with 5 pairs of amazed little eyes watching on…

So how do we do it, year after year? My main motto every Erev Pesach is “The children are not chametz, and my husband is not the Korban Pesach”. I try reiterating that thought over and over again, and imagining G-d’s helping hand giving me strength and helping me towards the goal- a peaceful and enjoyable holiday with no hard feelings. It is my sincere prayer that all of you will reach Seder Night feeling good, with Shalom Bayit (peace in the home), well-rested (ok, so we can dream!), and with tons of delicious food…

Chag Pesach Kasher Ve’Same’ach! (Have a Kosher and Happy Pesach!)