THE
SEDER
On the first Seder night the table is decked in gleaming white, the candles cast
a warm, flickering glow,
and the proud wine cups stand ready to play their part in the annual drama of
the Pesach Seder. The Seder table
helps to celebrate Passover properly. Seder means Order or Arrangement ; and the
arrangement of foods at
the Seder reminds us of the many sided meaning of Passover, the great festival
that marked the birth of free
people thousands of years ago and that still has an important
message for every one.
CANDLES
As
on every Sabbath and Festival, candles grace the table. The blessing over the
candles gives
warmth to their light as they cast a holiday glow over the Seder, and those who
have come to
celebrate Passover.
FOUR CUPS OF WINE
Everyone at the Seder table drinks four cups of wine, in the order mentioned in
the Haggadah.
There are four because of G-d’s four expressions of promise to free the
Israelites from Egypt.
CUP OF ELIJAH
Because Jewish Tradition says that the prophet
Elijah will one day bring peace to the world,
a
goblet is set for him on the table, the door is opened (the Haggadia tells us
when), and
“He is Welcomed in”.
ROASTED EGG
The egg symbolizes the festival offering sacrificed by pilgrims in the Temple.
The egg is used in
the Seder because it is a Jewish symbol of mourning, in this case for the
destruction of the
ancient Temple, where sacrifices were brought.
MAROR
The bitter herbs (usually horse radish) is a remainder of the bitterness of
slavery.
It was bitter in Egypt in those days; it is no less bitter now where ever there
is tyranny.
KARPAS
Green (lettuce, parsley or celery) symbolizes the ancient custom of
free men to eat an
appetizer before a meal. The Karpas is dipped into salt water to
remember the salty tears wept under Egypt’s cruel regime.
MATZAH
After the ten plagues, the Israelites, pressed by the Egyptians to
leave, snatched up their
un-baked dough, though it was unleavened (which means it had not yet
risen, like bread). There are three special Matzos at the Seder.
Half of the middle of these Matzos will be used as the Afikomen, or
dessert. For the children who snatch the Afikomen unseen , there
will be a present for returning it upon request.
SHANKBONE
This roasted bone is a symbol of the Pesach Lamb sacrificed at the
Ancient Temple.
HAROSET
Although this mixture of apples, almonds, cinnamon and wine
symbolizes the mortar (cement) made under the harsh rule of Egyptian
taskmasters, it tastes delicious. WHY? Because its sweetness, it is
said it is a symbol of G-d’s kindness, which made even slavery
bearable.
