The Great Matzah Caper: Finding the Affikomen* in the foothills of Appalachia
This story was too precious not to share, courtesy of guest blogger and fellow tribesman, Steve Katin:
Let me tell you this story of my quest for matzah in the Appalachian foothills region of western North Carolina. I live in a fairly rural area about 3 miles from the border of South Carolina and today I went hunting for matzah, the flavorless, often binding unleavened cracker/bread only a wandering Jew could love.
I started out in a Food Lion. I looked in the ethnic foods aisle only to find nary a matzah box on the shelves. When I asked a teller if they had it she simply said never heard of it and, no, they don’t carry it.
I then went to the I.G.A. the next town over. I thought maybe I’d find it here, because of the town’s fairly good mix of Northerners. And, it is a neat little mountainside town with some cultural diversity.
I ask the the person stocking the shelves for matzah, and he said in a strong Southern drawl, “‘ mat-what?”
I explained that it was sort of a flatbread cracker served on the Jewish holiday. “Well, we don’t have it here.” So I went on my way to the next town which was actually in South Carolina looping my way around the mountain. I walked into a Bi-Lo, again, no luck.so I drove across the street to Ingles
This was my last shot. I walked up and down a few aisles thinking it was probably futile. Just as I was about to leave, I noticed a young lady busy stocking shelves. I thought, oh well, I’m here so I might as well ask. In the midst of my inquiry, we both looked at the box she was holding and – lo and behold – on this box’s label was that distinct word we Jews only see one time of year, Manischewitz. And eureka – it was matzah.
Wow!! she said she was trying to find where it belonged and was glad she found a home for it with me.
If that is not a God-incidence I don’t know what is.
I mean what are the odds of something like that happening? I’ve been praying a lot lately and paying more attention to the spiritual side of life. The bonus in that is that I’ve been seeing signs of God’s existence in my life more and more frequently. I just felt the need to share this one, and especially on this holiday.
It blew me away. Happy Passover (and Easter to the other tribesmen)
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Being a new(er) Jew it was fun to read. Great story!
Thanks for the chuckle (and the warm tingly feeling)! Gary and I just finished a plate of matzoh brei for breakfast this Easter Sunday morning, and then I read the story aloud. A nice way to start the day!