What is your opinion on going away for Pesach to a hotel???

If someone would pay for my family, I would start packing.
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Posted: Mon, Mar 22 2010, 7:15 am Post subject:

I think that IF you can afford it, and it makes your life easier, or whatever, then fine. But if you do it because that's what's "done", even if you CAN'T afford it, then I have a problem.
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Silver Member Joined: Feb 23 2010 Posts: 706

Posted: Mon, Mar 22 2010, 7:23 am Post subject:

I think its good such an option is there for times when it isn't possible to make your own pesach other special situations or. It is not optimal from a chinuch or a kashrus perspective, imo.
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Silver Member Joined: Feb 23 2010 Posts: 706

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 08 2009 Posts: 4050

Pesach is a yom tov that is beautiful at home. Hotels are great for any other time.
There is something about Pesach, where every family has its own traditions, and this can only be passed down to the children in privacy. There is an awe and a certain sense of connection to our ancestors that only Pesach has. This feeling cannot be transmitted in a huge dining room set for hundreds of people.
While many think Pesach is "hard" or a lot of work, it is a yom tov that is wonderful depending on the woman's attitude. It is often confused with "spring cleaning" and other such things.
Pesach is getting rid of chometz, and nothing more. It means we need to "clean up our acts" both physically and mentally. We are focused on partnering with Hashem to do his ratzon, and remember how He took us out of Egypt. By cleaning our homes (and hearts) we are at one with our Creator.
There are people, that due to circumstances beyond their control, must go to a hotel for Pesach.
I thank Hashem that He has given me the strength and the resources to be able to stay home, and make a beautiful yom tov for my family. Thank you Hashem, for the wonderful [gentile woman], my beautiful home, and my lovely children and family.

Posted: Mon, Mar 22 2010, 7:31 am Post subject:

Our minhag is not to eat out on Pesach, so I think it is an interesting idea, but I hope we are never in a situation where we would even consider it.
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Silver Member Joined: Feb 23 2010 Posts: 706

You are absolutely right!!

We went with DH's family last year to a hotel for Pesach. for the seder, the hotel gave us a separate table, outside the main hall and away from other families (it was only our family and another family who are very close friends of ours who we asked to sit with). It was lovely - we could all relax and enjoy the seder, all we had to do beforehand was shower, get dressed and turn up! The food was amazing and served to us, which I think enhanced the idea that we felt like free men/kings!

However, there is something very special about Pesach at home with the family. I also really enjoy that. this year we are at home with my parents. The down side is that my mother is beyond exhausted by the time the seder comes round.
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Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 20597

Going away for Pesach is certainly not the same as staying home as far as tradition goes but.....
OMG, no work before, no work during, no work after. Someone shops, cooks and cleans for you. Entertains your children. Does the dishes. Takes you on tiyulim (in Israel it's included in the price) Peace and quiet (depending on the crowd of course; we've been lucky). But.... the seder is just not the same. The food is just not the same (we were at non gebrokt places). You have to eat when they serve. You probably overeat. Those are the drawbacks. Oh, and it can be less than pleasant if you have kids who aren't going with the flow.

Posted: Mon, Mar 22 2010, 8:01 am Post subject:

Good:
-no cleaning
-no preparing the seder if there is a community seder
-you will meet new people, see new rites...

Bad:
-you don't teach your rite to your children if there is a community seder, if there isn't you'll do it in your hotel room and that must be really weird.
-they may or not accomodate your rites about seder, tunes, kitnios, etc
-yomtov in a hotel... bring your timers!
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