Passover: A time to reset

By Leah Halunen

As we know, Passover, or Pesach, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. It lasts for eight days here in the United States and falls in the springtime. While it is primarily a religious observance, it also offers several health and wellness benefits, both physically and mentally.

During Passover, there are certain foods that must be eliminated from one’s home and diet. Jewish dietary laws prohibit chametz, any unleavened grain products. The list of forbidden foods is vast and includes anything that has risen or was fermented from grains like bread, pasta, regular flour, cereals, cakes, cookies, crackers, beer, whiskey, some vodkas, and most processed foods unless they have been certified as Kosher for Passover. In addition, we dive deeper with the different approaches taken by Ashkenazi Jews and Sephardic Jews. Ashkenazi Jews traditionally avoid kitniyot as well as chametz which includes rice, corn, beans, lentils, peas, and soy while Sephardic Jews generally do eat these foods during Passover.

The changes to one’s diet during this week benefit the body physically by encouraging a cleaner, more whole-foods approach to eating. There is also a positive impact to the digestive system while eating this way as typical Passover foods consumed such as vegetables, nuts, and lean proteins contain large amounts of fiber. Matzah, a popular bread substitute during this holiday, is low in fiber but can serve as a reset for digestion by simplifying the body’s intake of grain to which many people are sensitive. Since many processed foods contain chametz, people often cook more homemade meals which helps to reduce additives and preservatives in the diet during this time as well.

Mindful eating is something that comes into play significantly during the holiday of Passover for many reasons. One being that meals are typically communal gatherings with family or friends and therefore are less rushed and more cared about than most meals in our usual everyday lives. In addition, gratitude, storytelling, and reflection are all encouraged within each meal which can reduce stress and promote a positive outlook on life. The community connection and spending extra time with loved ones boosts emotional well-being and reduces loneliness too. The themes of Passover, like freedom and renewal, are uplifting which offers a soothing mental reset and an increased sense of purpose. Since this is a time of being with loved ones and focusing much more than usual on what one is eating, other distractions, like technology, tend to fall away. This allows us to focus on meaningful conversations which clear the mind and assist with emotional bonding between families and friends.

There are some ways where the physical and mental rewards of Passover overlap. For example, clearing the home of chametz involves deep cleaning which can be physically taxing as one cleans out cabinets, washes floors, and scrubs countertops and appliances. Cleaning in this way not only declutters the home, but also the mind giving both cleaner and those who live in the home a beautiful sense of reset. Slowing down and being present so one can absorb the religious aspect of this time can lower blood pressure, bring a sense of calm to the nervous system, and open the mind and heart to the opportunity for refreshment. And lastly, reflecting on the hardships and liberation that our people endured all those years ago, can reinforce and cultivate a resilience in our souls that translates into making us stronger and more grateful people, not only for ourselves but for all those around us.

Passover, in addition to being a very special religious time for the Jewish people, is also a holistic approach to health that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit. What are your Passover plans?

Chag Sameach!

LEAH HALUNEN is a personal trainer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.