Intro

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Welcome! This Haggadah will be our guide for tonight’s Seder. Haggadah is Hebrew for the telling. This evening is about telling the story of the Jewish people’s journey from slavery to freedom thousands of years ago, and reminds us to draw on the lessons of bondage, wandering and exile throughout the year. Seder means order.

There is a particular order in which we tell the story, designed to engage all participants, both young and old. The remarkable thing is that we have been telling this story pretty much the same way for 2,000 years!

The underlying reason for this consistent retelling is best summed up in the words of Emma Lazarus:

“Until all of us are free, none of us is free.”

As you look around, you will see several symbolic items that help tell and reinforce the story. There is the Seder plate, holding a number of culinary curiosities, wine cups for everyone (even the kids), a special cup for Elijah and a covered plate concealing three Matzahs.

Someone once said that all Jewish holidays have the same theme. They tried to kill us, we got away, lets eat. Thought this is pretty accurate there are other themes in our holidays that are less obvious and a few that are unique to this one. We are commanded to teach this story to our children tonight marks the beginning of this process for a new generation. The truth is that Ava and Adrien are not likely to remember much of tonight so lets consider this a dress rehersal.

SEDER PLATE

The symbolic food that we display during Passover give us food for thought. Each item placed on the Seder plate has meaning.

Matzah: The unleavened bread made from white flour and water that has come to symbolize the holiday’s message of redemption and freedom. Matzah commemorates the unleavened bread eaten by the Israelites who left Egypt in such haste that they could not wait for their dough to rise. Matzah is also referred to as Lechem Oni, or poor man’s bread. Eating it reminds us to be humble, and to always remember those who are still living with less. The Matzah can either be placed on or near the Seder plate.

Z’roah (Roasted Bone): A roasted lamb or chicken bone on the Seder plate symbolizing the Paschal sacrifice (Korban Pesach) that was offered during the Temple period in Jerusalem. It was traditionally roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. Temple worship began in 957 BCE about 300 years after the Exodus. For many Jews the destruction of the temple and the end of a theocratic state was a tragic event. Its important to understand that for 300 years Jews lived in Israel without a king and without a piece of property that was considered holy.

Beitzah (Egg): A roasted, hard-boiled egg represents the holiday sacrifice (Korban Chaggigah) that was offered on every holiday, including Passover, during the Temple period in Jerusalem. The egg also symbolizes mourning, representing our sadness over the destruction of the Holy Temple while at the same time it is a symbol of springtime fertility. In truth the egg is an almost universal symbol of death and rebirth and part of Dionysian rituals of spring. Jews later attempted to separate themselves from the traditions of other people who observed a Spring ritual celeberating death and birth but the egg remains.

Maror (Bitter Herbs) and Hazeret: The bitter herbs remind us of the bitterness of the slavery endured by the Israelites in Egypt.

Charoset: This sweet mixture represents the mortar used by the enslaved Israelites to make bricks to build the Pharaoh’s cities and palaces. Ashkenazic Charoset is traditionally made by mixing together grated apples, sweet red wine, cinnamon and chopped nuts. Sephardic Charoset often includes dates and honey instead of apples.

Karpas (Green Vegetable): The Karpas, usually parsley, symbolizes spring and renewal. It also represents the early years of prosperity in Egypt. The Karpas is dipped in salt water, in the Ashkenazic tradition, or vinegar, in the Sephardic tradition, before being eaten to commemorate the tears, pain and sadness felt by the Israelites while enslaved in Egypt.

The Long Service Long ago the tradition was a service that lasted hours. People added more and more to the service in order to drive home the point that there was much to learn and more to discuss. This gave rise to a tradition of asking the question “How long is the service going to be?” In every family there needs to be one person speaking for a longer service and others pressing for and end of all this ritual.

haggadah Section: Introduction

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