“As each family’s turn comes round for the use of the bakehouse, those who help always wash very carefully and put on clean overalls; also new cooking-utensils are always used.

“Water is carried by a few of the elder men of the family, as the youngsters would not be trusted to carry it without spilling it.

ADVENTURES

“There is great talking among those waiting their turn for the use of the oven, and great teasing, and sometimes fighting, amongst the boys.  Now and then one of the elder men pulls their ears with a vengeance for being ‘shkotzim’, as he calls it.  Then they keep quiet till he goes away.  When our turn came, Millie kneaded the flour, while father poured the water on for her.  You remember what a strong girl she is, and she did the kneading with such a will that I warned her not to get too hot.  No flour-dredgers are used.  My duty was to roll out the dough, but Mother wasn’t satisfied with the way I did it, and sent me to put more wood in the oven.  When the oven was hot enough, I had to sweep all the burnt wood and ashes out to get it nice and clean.

[Illustration:  CHADAR (school)]

“Then we started to put the matzos in, one by one.  Oh, it was hot work!  I hardly knew what to do, it was so hot.  Mother came and pushed me aside, saying to herself I was good for nothing.  In fact, my dear Jacob, one wants training to stand such heat, as one does to be a blacksmith.  Mother said that making matzos teaches us to realize what some of the hardships were that our forefathers went through in Egypt.  I hope it will become easier in time, for all the others are quite happy making and baking them, singing at the same time.

“Well, well! to be a true Jew is a hard matter.  As I grow older and get more knowledge and sense I shall find a pleasure in doing these things.

TEMPTATION—­AND JONATHAN

“After a few hours of hard work all the newly baked matzos were put in a basket, in which had been laid a clean table-cloth; and, when all had been carefully packed in, they were covered with another white cloth.  What I felt most was not being allowed to taste a bit, for it is forbidden till Seder to eat any of the matzos.  As I was carrying the basket home, I felt as if the devil was in me, and the temptation was so strong that I undid the cord and took one out.  Hearing someone coming up behind me, I slipped it hurriedly into my pocket and took up the basket and started off again.

“I heard the footsteps coming closer until who should come up to me but my best friend, Jonathan?  He glared at me and said:  ’Oh you sinner in Israel!’ ‘Why, what have I done?’ I exclaimed.  ’I saw you put a matzo in your pocket!’ he said.

“I felt hot all over, for I did not want him to have a bad opinion of me, as we had sworn friendship to each other like Jonathan and David.