There are 15 parts of the Seder overall, and they each happen in a specified order. This piece, the breaking of the afikomen will be needed again twelfth step, which is called tzafun. The Hebrew word tzafun means “hidden” or “concealed,” which accurately conveys the uncertain and peculiar origin of the ritual.

In some traditions, the children in the home attempt to steal the afikomen during the meal; while in many Ashkinazi homes the leader hides the afikomen from the children, who then search for it. In both traditions, the leader attempts to redeem the afikomen from the children, often in exchange for a small gift. Surprisingly, afikomen is not Hebrew, but a Greek word, meaning “dessert”.


haggadah Section: Yachatz