The Physical And Spiritual Preparations Of Pesach

By B. Aviva Preminger, MD, MPH, FACS

By the time this article is published, most of us are already deep into the annual ritual of preparing for Pesach. Closets are emptied, cabinets are being scrubbed, and lists are being made with everything that needs to be done before the holiday arrives. Every year we promise ourselves we will start earlier, be more organized, less stressed. Still, every year, somehow, the days before Pesach feel intense. This year, the chaos seems a bit worse than usual for those who had been planning and maybe still are planning to celebrate the holiday in Israel.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate that the process of preparing for Pesach is not only about cleaning our homes. It is about preparing ourselves. Somehow, we are supposed to manage all of this cleaning and cooking (and/or packing), and show up to the holiday looking our best, all rejuvenated for the arrival of this special holiday and of spring. We go out of our way to make the holiday feel special and perform “hidur mitzvah” in all sorts of ways. Many people insist on ordering special matzot and premium wines. Some shop for new clothing in honor of the holiday. Others get Botox, fillers, laser resurfacing, or even minor liposuction under local anesthesia to look their best for the occasion. Let’s be honest, some of this is “hidur mitzvah,” and some of this is the unfortunate but real social pressure involved in showing up at a Pesach program.

In my work as a plastic surgeon, preparation is everything. Before any surgery, there is a careful process—evaluation, planning, optimizing health, reviewing details, and making sure the patient is truly ready. The surgery itself may take only a few hours, but the preparation determines the outcome.

Pesach is no different.

We spend weeks removing chametz from our homes, but the deeper work is removing the things that clutter our lives: distractions, habits, and sometimes even ways of thinking that no longer serve us. Just as in surgery, the goal is not perfection for its own sake. The goal is to create the best possible conditions for something meaningful to happen.

I was reminded of this recently by a patient who came to see me for what is commonly called a “mommy makeover.” She was a busy mother of several young children, balancing work, family, and the constant demands of everyday life. Like many women I see, she told me that for years she had put everyone else first. There was always something more urgent like getting kids ready for school, planning for yom tov, or packing for camp.

Now, with Pesach approaching, she joked that she felt the same way about her house as she did about herself—everything needed attention at once.

As we talked, it became clear that her decision to have surgery was not about vanity. It was about feeling like herself again. She wanted to feel strong, comfortable, and confident in her own body after years of giving so much of herself to others.

What struck me most was how seriously she approached the preparation. She planned her surgery months in advance so she could recover before Pesach. She organized help at home, adjusted her schedule, and made sure everything was in order so that when the holiday came, she would be able to sit at the Seder table feeling healthy and whole.

In many ways, her preparation for surgery reminded me of preparing for Pesach. We clean places we normally ignore. We open drawers we have not looked at in months. We throw out things we once thought we needed. In doing so, we create space, not just in our homes, but in our minds.

There is also something powerful about the timing. Pesach comes in the spring, when the world itself is renewing. The days are longer, the air feels different, and there is a natural sense that it is time to start again. In Judaism, this is not accidental. The season of freedom is also the season of growth.

In medicine, we talk often about healing as a process. It requires patience, discipline, and trust that the effort will be worth it. Preparing for Pesach feels the same way. The work can be exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming, but when the holiday arrives, the feeling of sitting at the Seder table feeling prepared and your best is unlike anything else. It is a feeling of accomplishment, of clarity, of renewal. This may be because your home is sparkling clean, or because when you look in the mirror your neckline looks clean too!

Wishing everyone a meaningful, healthy, and peaceful Pesach. 

At Preminger Plastic Surgery, we are committed to educating our patients and providing personalized care tailored to their unique needs. For those considering plastic surgery, we offer guidance every step of the way to help you achieve your aesthetic and wellness goals. Dr. Preminger is a board-certified plastic surgeon with degrees from Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit premingermd.com or call 212-706-1900. Follow us on Instagram @premingerplasticsurgery.