The Maror symbolizes the bitter lives of our ancestors who were slaves in Egypt, toiling as builders and as field workers. When we eat the bitter herbs, we share in that bitterness of oppression. When you go to the grocery store, where does your food come from? Who picked the sugar cane for your chocolate, or the coffee bean for your morning coffee? We are reminded that people still face the bitterness of oppression, in many forms. This bitter chocolate calls us to consider the difficult circumstances of harvesting cacao; the use of machetes, the rainforest heat and humidity, the carrying of heavy loads of beans.

Together, we recite: 

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror. 

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has sanctified us with
Your commandments and ordained that we should eat bitter herbs. 


haggadah Section: Maror