Last year I shared my grandmother’s version of my mother’s Matzah Ball Soup. This year, instead of sharing a food memory, I’ll share my favorite Passover custom: the hiding (and seeking) of the Afikomen.
In a nutshell, at the beginning of the Passover Seder, half of the middle of three pieces of Matzah (called the Afikomen, meaning “dessert” in Aramaic) is hidden, and Seder service can only conclude once a child locates the Afikomen. In my family, the reward for finding the Afikomen ranges from a silver dollar to some Passover chocolate. This fun custom aims to keep young people interested in the Passover traditions.
One year, as my uncle went to hide the Afikomen my brother secretly excused himself from the table to spy. When the time arrived to search for the prized unleavened bread, my brother calmly walked over to the couch and sat down. As us kids frantically rummaged through every drawer, under every rug, and behind every crevice, my brother remained seated. He finally stood up, dramatically reached under his couch cushion and retrieved the broken Matzah. We all demanded a re-do. I don’t remember who legitimately found the Afikomen, but I know it wasn’t me because I was laughing far too hard to participate in the search.
This year, my family’s Afikomen competition may be slimmer than usual. However, no matter the economy, these types of memories and traditions hold a family close even if you have to spend a holiday apart.
Please share your Passover traditions in the comments below.
45 comments
Sign in to add your ownVintageEyeFashion says:
Lovely pics! Thanks for sharing your Passover memories!
3 years ago
tinahdee says:
So informative and nice to look at too!
3 years ago
Ryanplz says:
oh! i agree with tinahdee. very neat!
3 years ago
thymbyldesigns says:
חג פסח כשר ושמח! Did you realize, there are two shops who own a copy of the same Hagadah. :) It's actually a beautiful one....
3 years ago
JoyandWhimsy says:
Thank you so much for explaining abuot the Afikomen 2 nice gift books for Jewish holidays: 1st edition Noah tale by Isaac Bashevis Singer: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22844980 Hebrew stories art book: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22844410
3 years ago
ScottieinaCanoe says:
beautiful things!
3 years ago
sweetlifepaper says:
Funny Afikomen story! That used to be my favorite part of Passover! We hid the afikomen more than once!
3 years ago
RegalCottage says:
Chag Samaeach! Great explanation of Peseach. I love your afikomen story. ;)
3 years ago
UglyBaby says:
mmmmmmmmmmmm.....Matzah Ball Soup.
3 years ago
EJPcreations says:
I went to a very strict Catholic grade school, but we always celebrated Jewish holidays. We did this because Jesus was Jewish. Now I find that very progressive. I loved all the ritual behind the Passover Seder. Her story just reminded me of that very pleasant memory. Thank you Sarah.
3 years ago
FluteTeacher says:
I love learning about Jewish traditions. Thanks for sharing.
3 years ago
dogties says:
Great items Thanks for sharing.
3 years ago
Fancy0Frances says:
So interesting and beautiful. I hate it when one holiday monopolizes a time of year when more often than not there are several going on. Etsy rocks. Fancy0Frances.Etsy.Com
3 years ago
NaomiKimhi says:
Chag Samaeach:) I love the items remind me home.
3 years ago
maggielucia says:
thanks for sharing that...i grew up with a Jewish stepfather ...but he did not teach his United Church of England stepdaughters any of his Passover traditions, a real shame!!
3 years ago
raisinlike says:
Happy Passover everybody! פסח שמח לכול×
3 years ago
enchantingimages says:
yay passover! i shared this holiday with a friend for the first time, i love the hide and seek part!
3 years ago
rafya says:
I love the Afickomen traditions too, Happy Passover! חג שמח וכשר
3 years ago
Nishale says:
Happy Passover everybody! BUT- I must say that the pictures you chose for this article do not reprisent the joy and happiness and the spring that comes with this marvelous important holiday!!!!!! and that makes me a bit sad because Passover is much much beautiful that it appears in here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 years ago
sherrytruitt says:
Happy Passover. You brought back a lot of Afikomen childhood memories! My grandfather always provided the winning dollar, and we fought hard to get it. I think the art you chose is wonderful.
3 years ago
odiliafu says:
Thanks for sharing! It's so good to understand a different culture. Happy Passover!!
3 years ago
sandali says:
Gak-sameag !! Happy Holidays to everyone -- whether it's Pesah or Easter -- may everyone be blessed with the best wishes ;)
3 years ago
sonofthecucumberking says:
Great site to discover! Since you're so generous about sharing, I want to share a Passover experience with you I could do without repeating. It involves Pesach in Israel many years ago, hosting Robert Guillaume (famous there for TV's "Benson"), Albert Hague (Fame's Professor Shorofsky)and an unlikely troupe of additional performers. Finally got around to writing about it--"Once Upon a Passover" at www.sonofthecucumberking.com. Hag sameach.
3 years ago
SundraSandrusi says:
good afikomen story! Happy Passover to everyone!
3 years ago
scavengerhunt says:
Love these picks.
3 years ago
MRSBAUBLES says:
lovely story. my favorite part of the passover seder is watching all the kids running around looking for the Afikomin. Great picks too! Happy Passover!!
3 years ago
sage12888 says:
Great items!!!
3 years ago
novadesigns says:
thank you for sharing! Great finds too.
3 years ago
SpringColors says:
lovely passover gifts.
3 years ago
agru says:
Chag sameach!
3 years ago
madaboutmonty says:
My boyfriend hid the afikomen in the vintage copy of The Great Gatsby I got him. When I asked for a hint, he quoted me one of his favorite lines from it. His room mate got it, I didn't. She found it. fml.
3 years ago
JodyBatson says:
My daughter, now grown always loved the matzah ball soup, I taught her to read and write Hebrew, now with grandkids I need to freshen up and teach them. Shalom, AH TRADITION! jody
3 years ago
EarthBabyDesigns says:
What a wonderful story. As a Unitarian I love learning about the traditions of the faiths mine draws upon. That needled felted seder plate totally rocks!
3 years ago
vadjutka says:
I loved reading it! We have a kind of Seder Night Light with my friends, you can read more about it here: http://vadjutka.blogspot.com/2009/04/yesterday-we-had-seder-night-actually.html This year we ate too much and forgot about the Afikoman, so it is still there where we hid it: on the bookshelf :-) Maybe it will be good next year :-)
3 years ago
BoutiqueCandle says:
Passover is the holiday filled with the most wonderful memories for me. Remembering past seders always brings to mind much joy and laughter. Thanks for sharing your story and a very happy Pesach!
3 years ago
lindab142 says:
It's a wonderul holiday with friends and family and fun. Thanks for featuring my card.
3 years ago
veroque says:
Such a great story Sarah! Thank you for sharingand Happy Passover!! :)))
3 years ago
yifatiii says:
Happy Passover! ♥
3 years ago
Yoola says:
פסח שמח :)
3 years ago
ooty says:
Happy Passover =0)
3 years ago
AllAboutTheButtons says:
Wonderful story! This year we gave a $2 bill for the afikomin finder. He asked if he could trade for a silver dollar instead!
3 years ago
superfantastic50s says:
Fabulous. I wish I would have read this pre-Passover, but there's always next year!
3 years ago