The holiday is both sad and joyous. We eat the traditional matzah to remind us of the hardships of Egyptian slavery and the journey through the desert. But it's the defining celebration of the Jewish nation - our spiritual coming of age in the experience of the parting of the Red Sea and the delivery of the Ten Commandments and Torah at Mount Sinai some 50 days later. It's a weeklong celebration (as is the fall festival of Sukkoth) of eating festive meals and studying the Torah. And many Jews take the time off from work to spend (spiritually and materially) with their families and friends. Out and about for a stroll or shopping on Fifth Avenue and Herald Square.
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