Here is a Dry Bones cartoon from 2004. Yaakov always kept to the tradition/rule of not eating matzah and other Passover food before the holiday. I was raised in a Reform household, so do not know how much of a real rule this is. But on the Passover before he passed away, and he was at a rehabilitation center, they converted everything over to Pessah food about a week before the holiday for ease. So, I am assuming that it is just a tradition. Suddenly all of the stores are filled with Passover products and it is all very tempting for someone like me, who really loves matzah. In a few days, here in Israel, all of the food stores will have many of their shelves covered and hidden with brown paper, or colored plastic cloth. They cover the non kosher for Passover products so that you cannot buy them. I think it is a useful, lovely and unique tradition.
This year, I have signed up to go to a Chabad Seder in Raanana, a town nearby. It will probably be mostly lone soldiers. And even though I am not a soldier, I am lone too. I think it should be very interesting and fun. I wish you all a very good holiday.
