Rabban Gamaliel used to say: If one has not explained three things on Pesach, one has not fulfilled his obligation. They are: Pesach, Matzah, and Maror.

Pesach (Shank Bone): Why did our fathers eat the Passover offering during the time that Temple was still standing? It is because the Holy One, Blessed be He, passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt, as it is written: "You shall say: It is the Passover offering for the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians and spared our houses. The people knelt and bowed down."

Matzah ( Lift up the matzah ): Why do we eat this matzah? It is because the King of Kings, the Holy one, revealed Himself to our ancestors and redeemed them before their dough had time to ferment, as it is written: "They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened cakes; for they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provision for their journey."

Maror ( Lift up the maror ): Why do we eat this bitter herb? It is because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our fathers in Egypt, as it is written: "They made life bitter for them with hard labor, with clay and bricks, and with all kinds of labor in the field; whatever work tasks they performed were backbreaking." What else is on our plate? Offer an alternative explanation for these symbols, or any of the others you see on the seder plate. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu
Source: 30 Minute Seder