Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times had an article on TV Themes, highlighting (in memory of the death of Earl Scruggs) themes such as the one to the Beverly Hillbillies that serve to tell a story. In that vein, and as preparation for Passover, which starts Friday night, here’s a little lunchtime something from my Haggadah (originally from the Shalom Center):
| Come an’ listen to a story ’bout a man named Mo, A Hebrew child raised by the daughter of Pharaoh, An’ then one day an Egyptian beat a slave, An’ Moses stepped in, the Hebrew for to save… (Struck the guard, killed him dead!) Well, the next thing you know, ol’ Mo is all a-feared. The Hebrews said, “Mo, run away from here!” Mo decided Midian was the place he oughtta be, And there he stayed, till he saw a burnin’ tree… (God, that is… boomin’ voice, majesty.) God told Moses to go an’ tell Pharaoh, “Time has come to let my people go!” Pharaoh just laughed, said, “You tryin’ to pull my leg?” So Mo raised his staff, and God brought down the plagues… (Blood, that is… frogs an’ lice, hailstones.) |
Ten plagues in all, and the last was really bad: Slayin’ of the first-born, and Pharaoh was a dad. He said to the Hebrews, “Go on! Get away from me!” So they loaded up their matzah and they headed toward the sea… (Red, that is… mighty wide, no way across.) Pharaoh got all crazy and decided to attack. Mo raised his staff, and the waters, they drew back! The Hebrews walked through, just as dry as they could be, And Pharaoh’s army chased ’em, but were covered by the sea… (Drowned, that is… chariots, riders, too) Then Mo’s sister Miriam, she began to sing, And the womenfolk danced as she played the tambourine. Once we were slaves, but now we are free, And in every generation we recall our history… (The Children of Israel!) |
Two other Passover related stories, because I always have to do things in threes:
- A fascinating article about a Jewish/Japanese-American pre-Seder, held at Keiro Senior Healthcare, the original Boyle Heights home of what became the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aged in Reseda.
- Alas, Kosher L’Pesach Coca-Cola is unavailable in California, although KLP Pepsi may be found. The reason: Caramel. Coca Cola explained that “the new alternative process caramel required to meet the State of California’s guidelines related to Proposition 65 does not meet the Kosher for Passover requirements. We believe it will in 2013.”
Music: The Tap Dance Kid (Original Broadway Cast): I Could Get Used To Him
