Post-Holiday Blues

Pesach is over. For some, it simply came, happened, and went. For others it was a period of relaxation and seclusion and for others still it was full of new experiences and people. Either way, many are feeling the post-holiday blues.

No matter how you view it, the week of Pesach is an island in the yearly cycle. Everything changes; the food changes, the schedule changes, our homes change. Families and friends come together for meals and exchange stories and pleasantries. Not all, but for many it’s a week of recharging, especially after the hectic cleaning before hand, before starting afresh in a dust-free home.

Now we have our chametz back, our dishes back, we peel back the foil that covers our kitchens, the schools start up again, and everything just seems so, uggghhh, regular……the same thing I was doing before Pesach. Woopdeedoo.

Over Shobbos someone said some words that I believe will stick in my mind for a long time. He spoke about something he read regarding fins and scales. The torah permits any fish with fins and scales. The Gemara says that any fish with scales will have fins. So why doesn’t the Torah just permit fish with scales? What’s the need to mention fins?

The reason is because the fins and scales have something to teach us. Scales represent armor. Fins represent an ability to shoot forward. Just having fins is not a kosher characteristic. It means you shoot forward into the world, but also allow it to influence and change you. That’s why the only kosher fish is one that has the scales to protect it from the environment.

However, fins are still mentioned because that quality is still crucial. Having our own fins is the only way to get over the post-holiday blues. We had our period of renewal, to grow our ‘fins’ and now it’s time to utilize that as a slingshot to propel us through the rest of the year. It’s time to really dive into it, to pursue and tackle all the goals and problems that may have arisen. Whether it’s trying to get a job clear across the country, dealing with anti-Semitism at work, or just floating back into a regular schedule in a new zman, Pesach gave us the fins to shoot right through. Use them and go for it.