# Pesach food **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104 "2002-03-26T00:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/21 "2002-03-26T16:16:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hello Again \* > \*\* nothing made from any other grain \*\* Actually, that’s not entirely true. There is oat matzah and spelt matzah. The daughter of our very close friends will get deathly ill if she eats wheat, so she uses oat matzah. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/22 "2002-03-26T16:27:08Z")
Thanks for the replies, guys. I have always wondered about what exactly one celebrates Passover, and you have successfully fought some ignorance. Happy Passover to all! ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/23 "2002-03-26T16:30:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Knighted Vorpal Sword \* > \*\* > > Actually, that’s not entirely true. There is oat matzah and spelt matzah. The daughter of our very close friends will get deathly ill if she eats wheat, so she uses oat matzah. \*\* You could also (theoretically) have barley and rye matzos, but I have yet to see those made anywhere. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/24 "2002-03-26T18:32:55Z")
While I have you all here… Why does Matzah taste so bad? Matzah stuffing is one of the most awful things I’ve ever eaten, yet stuffing made from saltines is palatable. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/25 "2002-03-26T18:48:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \* > \*\*While I have you all here… > > Why does Matzah taste so bad? Matzah stuffing is one of the most awful things I’ve ever eaten, yet stuffing made from saltines is palatable. \*\* Probably because it’s only flour and water. Saltines have salt and other additives as well… Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/26 "2002-03-26T19:05:14Z")
Mike G: > [@](#): > > Question; on our work calendar, there are hebrew words for each day of Pesach. What do the mean? I think Lag bomer or something like that is one of them…Im sure the spelling is waaaay off! It might be what Zev said, or it might be indicating the day of the Omer that that day is. The word “Lag Bomer” that you saw means, in Hebrew, “33rd day in the Omer” (which is a 49-day timespan). The days of Passover are, beginning with day 2 of Passover, days 1-7 of the Omer. Masonite: > [@](#): > > What’s the deal with corn? Does it have to do with fermenting, does corn syrup sometimes count as leavening? Not really. By Biblical law, leaven only applies to five species of grain: wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt. However, the Talmudic Rabbis, in order to “build a fence around the Torah” (i.e., to keep people from transgressing inadvertently due to confusing grains of one species for another) also forbid the eating of many grain-like species, such as rice, millet and legumes. This category is called “Kitniyos” in Jewish law. When corn was discovered, the Ashkenazic (central-eastern European) Jewish authorities declared it to fall into the category of “Kitniyos” as well. Corn is perfectly well permitted during the rest of the year, and Sephardic Jews eat it on Passover as well, never having accepted them as being “Kitniyos.” Knighted Vorpal Sword: > [@](#): > > Hey Zev, how much is shmura in NY? I paid $14.50/lb down here. I’m not Zev, but in Queens, I’ve been seeing $14. One store had for $13; that’s the least expensive I saw. gobear: > [@](#): > > OK, I know that leavened food is forbidden during Passover, so no bagels, muffins, or grilled cheese sandwiches, but why does that restrict you to grilled meats, cold cuts, or potato latkes? What about soups, salads, or vegetables? Can you have chili or stirfried tofu for Pesach? Sounds like my message you were referring to. Soups, salads and vegetables are fine, I just didn’t mention them because I rarely have them myself. I don’t like vegetables very much, and soup I usually have only at formal meals. > [@](#): > > And do you eat actual food at a Seder, or do you just have the ceremonial dishes (bitter herbs, charoseth, broiled lamb bone and so on)? No, we do actually eat a meal at the seder, right after the matzo and bitter herbs. And, just for the record, the broiled lamb bone is not eaten at the Seder, but is just there as a reminder of the Passover sacrifice from Temple times. > [@](#): > > Do you have the Seder on just one night? and if so, which night? Outside of Israel, it’s the first two nights, in Israel, the first night only. That’s (this year) the night of March 27, and March 28 (for those of us outside Israel). carnivorousplant: > [@](#): > > Why does Matzah taste so bad? Matzah stuffing is one of the most awful things I’ve ever eaten, yet stuffing made from saltines is palatable. Well, saltines have salt, don’t they? Matzo is nothing but flour and water. I imagine the matzo stuffing might taste better if you compensate for the lack of salt when making the stuffing rather than simply substituting matzo for saltines. Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/27 "2002-03-26T19:06:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*A question from a perplexed goy: > \> > \> > And do you eat actual food at a Seder, or do you just have the ceremonial dishes (bitter herbs, _charoseth_, broiled lamb bone and so on)? > > Do you have the Seder on just one night? and if so, which night? \*\* Can somebody post (in english) the Four Questions? I think that, in addition to keeping the story of passover alive, they are good for non Jews to see where the story comes from. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/28 "2002-03-26T19:09:18Z")
The four questions: (Introductory)Why is this night different from all other nights of the year? (1st question)On all other nights we eat both leveaned food and matzo, on this night, we only eat matzo. (2nd question)On all other nights, we eat other vegetables, but on this night, we eat bitter herbs as well. (3rd question)On all other nights, we are not required to dip our food at all, on this night, we are required to dip our food twice. (4th question)On all other nights, we eat either sitting erect or reclining, on this night, we all eat reclining. Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/29 "2002-03-26T19:11:59Z")
Chaim, were you just lurking, waiting for somebody to ask that weren’t you? ;j ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/30 "2002-03-26T19:14:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cmkeller \* > \*\*if you compensate for the lack of salt when making the stuffing rather than simply substituting matzo for saltines. > > Chaim Mattis Keller \*\* No, this is the stuff that Mrs. Manischewitz puts together as stuffing in a box, so I would expect it to have the normal stuffing seasoning in it. Maybe it sits around for a year because it’s only eaten at Passover and becomes stale? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/31 "2002-03-26T19:35:48Z")
adam yax: I had just posted my last response and returned to the forum directory, and I saw there was another post there. And this time, there are two! carnivorousplant: Well, does the ingredients listing on the box include salt and other spices? That might give a clue. Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/32 "2002-03-26T19:49:47Z")
Thanks for the answers! As for working on the 30th, we are closed every Saturday andSunday isEaster so I geta four day weekend:)woo! Now if I can just survive the next two days, we have ~15 Jewish clientswho all need their projects completed by noon tomorrow:eek: I’ve never been to a Seder, I think I will try to wrangle an invitation to next years as it sounds like a good occasion. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/33 "2002-03-26T19:54:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MikeG \* > \*\*Thanks for the answers! As for working on the 30th, we are closed every Saturday andSunday isEaster so I geta four day weekend:)woo! > > \*\* Actually, Lag B’Omer is April 30th, a Tuesday. Sorry to burst your bubble. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/34 "2002-03-26T20:00:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cmkeller \* > \*\* > Well, does the ingredients listing on the box include salt and other spices? That might give a clue. > \*\* Thanks, but I’m trying to keep that particular stuffing out of the house. It’s that bad. The Saltine dressing from my youth was made from seafood, so maybe it was very, very salty. Thanks again, if Mrs. Plant sneaks some into the house I’ll check the ingredients. CP ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/35 "2002-03-26T20:27:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cmkeller \* > \*\* > No, we do actually eat a meal at the seder, right after the matzo and bitter herbs. And, just for the record, the broiled lamb bone is not eaten at the Seder, but is just there as a reminder of the Passover sacrifice from Temple times. > > \*\* Chaim, What’s the reason for these customs you observe, that the LORD ordered you to observe? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/36 "2002-03-26T20:39:39Z")
Hey - that’s wise _son_, not wise _guy_! 😉 Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104/37 "2002-03-27T00:07:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cmkeller \* > **Hey - that’s wise _son_, not wise _guy_! 😉** Ah, but it isn’t. For by **Captain Amazing** asking why YOU observe it, he is excluding himself. Thus, he is the insolent son. \_ \<------me laughing at Zev’s unleavened smilie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pesach-food/100104.md?page=1)