The Top 9 Things I Love About Passover

I grew up in Squirrel Hill, the most awesome (and Jewish) neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And despite some recent events in the area, it remains a truly great place. One of my favorite things about the hill of squirrels was Passover. It is my favorite Jewish holiday and here are my top 9 reasons why! (Sidenote: I haven't been invited to a seder in like 7 years, I blame my geography)

9. 2 for 1. If you play your cards right, you may get invited to two consecutive seders. Imagine Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner back to back.

8. Exclusivity. Outside large Jewish communities, Passover largely flies under the radar. As such, most seders I have been to were pretty small and intimate. I always got a kick out of being the only Indian kid in town who knew the bread prayer.

7. Matzo ball soup. Like I could really leave this out, talk about a staple!

6. Passover Coke. I suppose it is a symptom of living in Peoria that I just found out about this. (and no, this isn't kosher cocaine) I am going to buy every freaking yellow capped bottle I see. (no HFCS!)

Follow the yellow cap to HFCS-free bliss

5. Brisket. No joke. I love me some hot and juicy brisket. I'll chomp on that stuff until my jaw hurts. Everyone in Sq seems to be a genius when it comes to beef.

4. Finding the afikoman. I can't say I was ever very good at this game - but it was a lot of fun tearing the place apart looking for a piece of matzo.

3. Wine. 4 cups - it's a Rabbinic requirement. Nothing says awesome like a religiously mandated tipple.

2. The Passover story. When we were kids, my parents would always invite stranded CMU grad students over for Thanksgiving and my sister and I would have to recite the story of the first Thanksgiving. So come spring, it was nice to have someone else do the storytelling.

My only weakness

1. Manischewitz Macaroons. You know, I could do a Top 9 based on Manischewitz products alone, but these macaroons, seemingly available only during Passover, are my favorite. I buy these suckers by the truckload every chance I get.

That's it folks. Nick will be back next week with a superwacky Texas themed Top 9. Stay tuned!

More: The Top 9 UK Oddities

Why the Top 9? Because 10 is too many and 9 is better. 3 X 3 = Awesome. Now that’s what Nick calls math.