Pessah 2012: 5 Seder Controversies

DEAL, NJ -- The Pessah Seders have barely left us, and top researchers have already identified the year's biggest scandals.

1. Hummos = Hametz. One of the top issues in Sepharadi homes. Ashkenazi Jews do not eat chickpeas on Pessah (or any beans/legumes for that matter), but Eastern Custom, which worship this dip, have trickier legislation. Many rabbis rule that Hummos is banned on Pessah, as the word Hummos sounds like the word Hametz.

2. Which one is the Marror? A Seder plate will generally have two bitter herbs: Romaine Lettuce and Endive. No family is ever sure which one is the Marror, and which goes in the Korech sandwich. This legendary problem dates back to Egypt itself, where Moses' wife returned from the market with the wrong shopping cart. There is not, and will never be, an answer.

3. Fruity Pebbles This one is sketch. Come on, people.

4. Ishu Zawatak? The third of the great Arabic questions asks "What are you carrying?" After the leader answers "Matzah uMarror" an older relative generally whispers to the person to his right, "we never had this one." Is this question new? Historians like to believe it was originally just part of the dinner conversation back in Halab. But most evidence points the source to the Maxwell House Edition of the Pessah Haggadah, where the question was answered with "Maxwell uMarror."

5. Leave the door open for Eliyahu. Apparently we're supposed to not only leave a cup of wine out for the spirit of Elijah, but we're supposed to leave the door unlocked for him. Never mind that he can just faze through the door, but he probably can't drink everybody's wine either. Nine out of Ten physicians agree he'd be wasted by the time he finishes with Musket Lane. Instead, the Police advise to keep your door locked in case of robbery.