By Miya Rotstein
This year, March 12th was ראש חדש ניסן [rosh chodesh nisan]– the beginning of the month of ניסן Nissan, the seventh month of the Jewish lunar calendar and ecclesiastical year (the cycle of the seasons). The ushering in of ניסן begins the extensive preparations for Passover פסח [pesach]; cleaning, organizing, menu-planning and of course, cooking!
Passover פסח, one of the three pre-Israelite pilgrimage holidays (the other two are Shavuot שבועות and Sukkot סוכות) was a celebration of the first grain harvest at the very start of the spring and the births of the first lambs of the season. The ancient Israelites would make their way uphill to Jerusalem where they would offer sacrificial thanks to God at the Great Temple בית המקדש [beit ha’mikdash]. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the focus of the holiday shifted to the ritual Seder סדר meal.
Another name for פסח is זמן חרותינו [z’man cheruteinu] The Season of Our Freedom. In the context of Jewish People-hood, פסח is celebrated as the time in which Moses and Aaron led the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt with miracles and wonder. The holiday renews the Jewish belief that freedom is a right of every person and every faith.
One of the staple פסח foods is מצה Matzah. The flat, unleavened bread, baked in very strict and precise conditions, represents the whole of the פסח experience. In the Biblical book of Exodus, the Israelites leave Egypt in haste, giving them no time to allow their bread to rise. This מצה Matzah was eaten at the very first Seder and in commemoration of that meal, we eat מצה Matzah for all eight days of Passover פסח.
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Here is an easy and delicious recipe for Matzah Brei מצה ברײ, Yiddish for ‘fried Matzah’. Some like their Matzah Brei מצה ברײ savory with herbs and spices, while others enjoy it sweet. Try it both ways and see which one tastes best!
Serves 2-4 for a snack or light breakfast.
Ingredients:
2-3 pieces of מצה Matzah broken up into large chunks
warm water or milk [about 1.5 cups]
2 beaten eggs
A pinch of salt
Butter or oil for frying
Optional toppings: honey, syrup, jam, Greek yogurt, sour cream…
Directions:
Soak the מצה Matzah in water or milk until softened.
Add beaten eggs and salt and combine until מצה Matzah is coated.
Heat a frying pan or griddle with oil or butter and when hot, add the מצה Matzah.
Fry on both sides till golden!
Photo credit: Thinkstock
