We came across an advice column called The God Squad in the ]local paper of Allentown, PA that poses the following question for its non-Jewish readers:
Q: My daughter has been invited to attend a Passover seder at her best friend’s house. Is there something I could send with her that traditionally goes with Passover? For example, if she were going to an Easter dinner, I might send a lily.
The God Squad’s answer (condensed, our italics): The first thing to ask is if her friend’s family keeps a kosher house. If they do, then bringing any kind of food would be out of the question. A bouquet of flowers is nice, but Jewish tradition considers cut flowers an affectation of luxury and so prohibits them at certain rituals. A potted plant would be nice, though a tree might be a bit much. Even if the family does not keep kosher, it’s still wrong to bring food that is not kosher (anything made with yeast or other forbidden foods) for Passover. Many chocolate shops have kosher Passover candy that they make or sell boxed. Of course, you could combine the two ideas by bringing a chocolate potted plant.
A chocolate potted plant?! *sigh*. Goyim.
God Squad, let us correct ya on how to be a mensch-y Passover guest: A nice bouquet is always appreciated. (Except for carnations. Too WASP-y.) Last we checked in with the Lexus-driving, bling-adorned members of our temple, affectations of luxury are nowhere near “against Jewish tradition.”
Are these people serious? These are the same kinds of fools who baptize jews after they pass away. They describe us as if we were some sort of endangered species or rare plant.