9 April—Yesterday was Kanbutsu-e, the Japanese celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. The several derivative Buddhist religions and cultures celebrate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, a.k.a. the original Buddha, on different dates. He was born a Hindu some time vaguely around half a millennium before Christ, give or take. So we don’t know how precisely old he’d be this year. But his birthday evokes parades, lanterns, fancy nosh-ups, and other festive stuff.

Speaking of Christ, in case you didn’t know, today is Easter, a.k.a. Resurrection Sunday, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, following his crucifixion at Calvary. It’s joyfully observed by devout Christians because of the resurrection, of course, but also because they can get back to their regular diets and other of life’s pleasures they had to forgo during Lent.

Easter is also celebrated by egg and bunny factory farmers, confectioners, and other non-Christians and outright pagans who also celebrate Christmas. For the same reason.

Today falls towards the end of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar. A commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation, Ramadan must be observed by devout Muslims. No two ways about it. But instead of celebrating around the clock, as you’d expect, they’re supposed to fast and abstain from sex, among other things, during the day. But at night, anything goes. Go figure.

Believe it or not, in some Muslim countries non-Muslims as well as Muslims can be fined and even jailed for eating in public during Ramadan. Of course you can believe it. It brings to mind the countless abuses of the First Amendment right here in the good old U.S.A.

The conclusion of Ramadan is Eid al-Fitr, when devout Muslims are again allowed to eat, drink, smoke, and copulate in public around the clock without fear of punishment. Non-Muslims, too.

Today also falls just about in the middle of Passover, the holiday during which Jews celebrate the escape of the Israelites from Egypt and the 40 years of their looking around for a good resort to stop at. Back then all of the Israelites were probably Jews.

Although Passover is supposed to be a joyful holiday celebrating emancipation—Jewish Juneteenth, but never Jewteenth—it’s observed with a predominant dietary constraint that’s intended to remind people how great yeast is.

Most people don’t know that leavening agents like yeast and baking soda are not forbidden during Passover. Rather, it’s the fermented grains. And you don’t have to be Jewish not to care . . .