With the abundance of luxury vacation packages now available to us, this might be a good time to review some of the more pertinent laws and customs pertaining to Pesach spent at hotels and resorts:
1) Although one may travel to ski resorts in Switzerland, Canada, and Colorado, it is preferable to celebrate the holiday in a warm climate, similar to that of Eretz Yisrael. It is proper, therefore, to participate in rabbinically supervised programs, such as “Torah, Torah in Bora Bora.”
2) In Hawaii, while it is customary to have a luau on the beach on the second night of Chol Hamoed, any other night is likewise permissible. Some make a sandwich out of roasted matza and pineapple.
3) Similarly, most poskim agree that barbecues, magic shows, excursions to Sea World, and Israeli dance lessons can be scheduled for any day during Chol Hamoed.
4) One who does not partake of tearoom refreshments three times a day has still fulfilled the requirements of the chag.
5) Some say that the fish delicacy mahi mahi, if roasted, may be placed on the Seder plate as a remembrance of the Passover sacrifice.
6) Upon making havdala after a Sabbath that coincides with the festival, some recite the borei minei besamim blessing over a Hawaiian lei.
7) When immersing oneself in the Jacuzzi, it is appropriate to think of the Israelites crossing the Yam Suf.
8) There are those whose custom it is to enter into a hot sauna, put hot rocks on their backs, wrap themselves in moist sheets, put clay on their faces, and afflict themselves in other ways in order to experience the pain of the Egyptian slavery.
9) Some add the following verse to Echad Mi Yodea near the end of the Haggadah: “Who knows 10? Ten is the number of days in the vacation package, and additional charges will be made for extended stays.”
10) At breakfast each morning, before one eats a Spanish omelet, fruit smoothie, or hash brown potatoes, it is customary to recite: “Thus did Hillel…”
11) Those eating gebrokts and non-gebrokts may occupy seats at the same table and adjacent rooms in the hotel.
12) After counting the Omer each night, some take it upon themselves to count their cholesterol levels throughout the festival.
