Climbing the Passover Ladder of Observance

Several years ago, I saw a cute post making the rounds around this time of the year, that featured a cartoon-like female dressed as a queen in a ball gown appearing next to a similar depiction of the same female scrubbing floors dressed in rags.  Underneath the first woman was the caption “Purim” and the second “Passover.” This post would have resonated with nearly all Orthodox women as well as other seriously observant Jews.

I have always kept Passover in very traditional terms, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that more than any other, this Jewish holiday triggers a high degree of anxiety.  I am also very aware that outside of Orthodox circles, a strict observance of Passover is rather atypical. Although the 2020 Pew study affirms that the Passover seder remains one of the most celebrated Jewish rituals among American Jews, the details of the holiday’s preparations and observance are, by and large, ignored by the vast majority of American Jews.

In an ideal world, the leaders of religiously liberal Jewish communities would place more emphasis on the prescribed Passover preparations and observance, and make the case for why they are important for continuity of Jewish tradition. But in our current reality, our religious leaders know that the hearts and minds of most American Jews are elsewhere, perhaps now more than ever.

But the continuity of Jewish ritual can provide the most solace in difficult times if we allow ourselves to invest the time and energy these traditions require. When we make the effort to tap into timeless tradition, we spark a connection with the Jewish past that can otherwise become lost in the hustle and bustle of modern life. An example of this point that is still familiar to many Jews is the lighting of Shabbat candles on Friday evening. Over the years, many people have told me that one of the reasons they continue this tradition is that it facilitates a connection to Jews across time and space.

Of course, there is no comparison in terms of the effort required by bringing in a kosher Passover to one’s home as compared to lighting Shabbat candles, despite the weekly performance of candle lighting. But as is true of the entirety of Jewish tradition, both examples enable us to experience, and facilitate, the continuity of Judaism throughout the ages because they offer opportunities for consistency in patterns of observance.

Several years ago, I wrote “Remix Judaism,” a guidebook for how Jews who do not feel bound to observe Jewish law in a conventional way can still deepen their connection to Jewish tradition. One of my main themes was the importance of the selection, and consistent performance, of more Jewish tradition.

Passover provides us with a wonderful opportunity to embrace this concept. This year, rather than focusing just on the seder, maybe consider how you and your family might incorporate even just one more element of Jewish tradition into your lives during the eight days of the holiday. For example, maybe this is the year you make a conscious effort to perform what can be a fun-filled search for hametz with your children or grandchildren prior to the onset of the holiday. Or avoid all obviously leavened products during the entire holiday.  Or even attend a service on one of the four holy days of the festival. Or maybe even just give your kitchen countertops an extra symbolic scrub!

The goal here is not complete compliance with the details of the Passover halakhah, an unrealistic, and possibly undesirable, enterprise for most. But I am suggesting spending some time before the holiday’s onset thinking about some ways that are realistic for you and your family to deepen your connection to the many Passover traditions aside from just the seders. Even the idea of contemplating how this could be accomplished can be a valuable start and can spur more actions going forward. The point is to take one step — even just a baby step — on the ladder of Passover observance. Chag Pesach sameach!!!

Roberta Rosenthal Kwall is a law professor, author and Jewish educator with a focus on American Judaism. Her latest book is “Polarized: Why American Jews are Divided and What to do About It” (October, 2026, Bloomsbury Press).