I've just returned form my neighborhood supermarket. It is two and a half weeks before Pesach and the stores are bustling with sales on the "old" kosher items because they are introducing all the "new" ones for Pesach. Why out with the old and in with the new? (Almost sounds like our lives in Yeshua HaMashiach!!!). What is so different about regular kosher and kosher for Pesach? It is completely chometz/leaven free. For instance, when it comes to matzoh - here's the rule. Matzoh, that is kosher for Pesach, is made with more care. The ingredients are combined, mixed and baked all within eighteen minutes.

That is because after this time period the "batch" will begin to leaven. In fact the machines used to bake the matzoh have to be completely cleaned after each batch to insure that none of the old mixture remained before the new is put in.

All within the eighteen minute time span. Incredible in my opinion, being a homemaker and the one who prepares all the meals, eighteen minutes is a very short time. Eighteen is also very significant to me because it means “life” in the numerical equivalent of Hebrew. Within that eighteen minute span of time we have “life,” that is we are without leaven. How amazing is our G-d, even in the things of man!

Let's talk a little bit about chometz, that is leaven. My husband and I were brought up as Ashkenazie Jews, Jews from Eastern Europe. Chometz in our home is anything containing wheat, barley, rye, oats. Examples are bread, cake, cereal, pasta, beer and whiskey. These things are not present in our home during Pesach, in fact the last two items are never present in our home. I believe the largest difference in our Messianic homes and that of non-believing Jewish homes, especially Orthodox is that we do the same "clean up" but we do not have rabbinical consultation. I am very blessed because my husband is a rabbi but I don't even involve him in the task of the "clean up"!

Let's talk about food. During Pesach we enjoy a week of vegetables, egg, beef, poultry, fish and "lotsa' matzoh". A favorite dish in our home is matzoh brie (recipe at the end of this article). This may eaten at breakfast, lunch or even dinner depending upon your family’s tastes.

Pesach does not have to be a burden in your home - it should be a joy. There are hundreds of recipes and things to do with your children and spouse. Matzoh, if soaked briefly in warm water until pliable, can be substituted for anything from pasta to pizza crust and more! Don't limit yourself, be adventurous!