There are two main components to the world of manufacturing;
process and product. Process is the means and product is the
end result.
A clever businessman will try to streamline his process so
that he uses all of his resources and manpower most
efficiently to produce a product that will clearly be his
best effort.
In a perfect world, scrupulous attention to process would
result in nothing less than a superb product. However, as we
well know, this world is far from perfect. Try as we might,
we never seem to get everything "just right."
During most of the year, "Well, I tried," is an acceptable
excuse. However, when we are preparing for one of our
yomim tovim, we are working within a different
reality.
One certain evening in mid-Tishrei is the deadline for having
completed one's succa, and one certain morning in mid-
Nissan is the deadline for having all of the chometz
out of our possession. On those two occasions, "I tried" does
not hack it.
Right now, before the frantic weeks of Pesach cleaning get
underway, is a good time to make a gameplan.
What is our goal? To make the house free of chometz.
What is a side benefit? In the process of removing
chometz and checking for its traces, we generally end
up with a Spring-clean house.
I have attended pre-Pesach classes given in the States by
Rabbi Avrohom Blumenkranz and other noted poskim, and
here in Yerusholayim by equally knowledgeable rabbis and
teachers. I have yet to attend a class where the emphasis is
not placed on separating Pesach cleaning from the
general after- winter scrubbing and airing out that the
secular world calls "Spring Cleaning."
The problem is that most of these classes take place between
Purim and Pesach -- usually closer to the latter -- and by
that time we are so immersed in such traditional spring
cleaning rituals as taking the bedspreads and draperies to
the dry cleaners that we don't really hear (read:
internalize) the message.
This year we have the bonus of a second Adar. Why don't we
use it wisely and do our Spring Cleaning during the latter
part of Adar Alef and the beginning of Adar Bet and save the
weeks between Purim and Pesach for the real thing: Pesach
cleaning!
I know it is nice to have a really clean soapdish in the
bathroom and a squeaky clean windowsill in the laundry porch,
but let's face it. When was the last time you found a
kezayis of bread in either of those two places? When
Yanky hid them there on bedikas chometz eve?
I have, on the other hand, discovered a whole bagel in the
bottom of the toybox one year just hours before bedikas
chometz, and a large pretzel behind the sefarim in
the lowest shelf of the bookcase -- at kiddie fingertip level
-- not much before that. We have to give ourselves unhurried
hours in the days right before Pesach to actually find, and
then either remove or destroy, the chometz.
Considering that we also have to factor in time to give
everyone haircuts, to launder all of the clothes, change over
the kitchen -- not to mention shopping for all of the Pesach
foods and cooking for Yom Tov -- all during those same
hurried last few days, we realize that the spring cleaning
has to be over before then.
What is the best way to start a project? Make lists.
List all of the things you have to do, all of the things that
are the responsibility of your spouse, and all of the jobs
that can be delegated to others, whether a child, a cleaning
lady or a bochur who can be hired to do the heavy
chores.
Next to each job, place a `P' for Pesach preparation or an
`S' for spring cleaning. There is certainly nothing wrong
with entering on your `wishlist' such tasks as "bleaching the
mold off the shower ceiling." Just remember to mark it with
an `S.' In that way, comes the second week in Nissan, if you
have not been able to get to the black spots overhead, you
will already have in perspective the important fact that you
can make Pesach without that little nicety.
Next comes a little useful sleight-of-hand. You are going to
make a SCHEDULE. You are going to transfer all of the Pesach
tasks and all of the Spring tasks from the lists to a
calendar, but the calendar is going to end at least four days
before Pesach.
Bedikas Chometz this year is on Tuesday night, but we
are going to pretend that the house has to be Pesach-ready by
Erev Shabbos Hagadol. Pencil in all of the cleaning
and preparation before then. In that way, if you actually
stick to your schedule, you can have Sunday through Wednesday
to leisurely cook, bake, set up the tables and chairs for the
seder, welcome your out-of-town guests and call all of
your friends to wish them a kosher and joyful holiday. If you
fall behind, you will have a couple of make-up days. Either
way, you will be better off for having left those days
unscheduled.
REMEMBER: During the winter we managed to make Shabbos by a
minute to four in the afternoon. In the summer, we have until
seven. But how often on a Tammuz Friday afternoon are we
running around at six in the afternoon finishing what could
have been done hours earlier?
We should give ourselves a pep talk: "How is it that you have
everything finished early Friday afternoon in Kislev but in
Tammuz it just doesn't come together? Let's get a handle on
this. Let's stop procrastinating and get to work. You can do
it. You did it then. Go for it!"
Now substitute Pesach for Shabbos. "How is it that you have
everything finished when Pesach comes in March, but in mid-
April it just doesn't come together..."
It is a special gift to have a bonus second Adar seven times
in every nineteen years, but only if we use it wisely. Here
is one easy way that we can make process and product
dovetail.
We can get it right.
