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Breaking it down for the noobs
Contributed by Josh Pollak

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

The Seder Plate
We place a Seder Plate at our table as a reminder to discuss certain aspects
of the Passover story. Each item has its own significance.


Maror – The bitter herb. This symbolizes the harshness of lives of the Jews
in Egypt.


Charoset – A delicious mix of sweet wine, apples, cinnamon and nuts that
resembles the mortar used as bricks of the many buildings the Jewish slaves
built in Egypt


Karpas – A green vegetable, usually parsley, is a reminder of the green
sprouting up all around us during spring and is used to dip into the saltwater


Zeroah – A roasted lamb or shank bone symbolizing the sacrifice made at
the great temple on Passover (The Paschal Lamb)


Beitzah – The egg symbolizes a different holiday offering that was brought
to the temple. Since eggs are the first item offered to a mourner after a
funeral, some say it also evokes a sense of mourning for the destruction of
the temple.


Orange - The orange on the seder plate has come to symbolize full inclusion
in modern day Judaism: not only for women, but also for people with
disabilities, intermarried couples, and the LGBT Community.


Matzah
Matzah is the unleavened bread we eat to remember that when the jews fled
Egypt, they didn’t even have time to let the dough rise on their bread. We
commemorate this by removing all bread and bread products from our home
during Passover.


Elijah’s Cup

The fifth ceremonial cup of wine poured during the Seder. It is left untouched
in honor of Elijah, who, according to tradition, will arrive one day as an
unknown guest to herald the advent of the Messiah. During the Seder dinner,
biblical verses are read while the door is briefly opened to welcome Elijah. In
this way the Seder dinner not only commemorates the historical redemption
from Egyptian bondage of the Jewish people but also calls to mind their
future redemption when Elijah and the Messiah shall appear.


Miriam’s Cup
Another relatively new Passover tradition is that of Miriam’s cup. The cup is
filled with water and placed next to Elijah’s cup. Miriam was the sister of
Moses and a prophetess in her own right. After the exodus when the
Israelites are wandering through the desert, just as Hashem gave them
Manna to eat, legend says that a well of water followed Miriam and it was
called ‘Miriam’s Well’. The tradition of Miriam’s cup is meant to honor
Miriam’s role in the story of the Jewish people and the spirit of all women,
who nurture their families just as Miriam helped sustain the Israelites.
haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu

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