Nothing on the Seder table is selected randomly; each item has it’s purpose. This Seder plate holds six ritual items that we have traditionally had at our Seder, that are discussed during the Seder: the shankbone, maror, charoset, karpas, salt water, and roasted egg. Historically, these items have changed, as the reason for them has shifted. When our grandparents were children there were potatoes on the plate. Last year we added an orange. This year we have added an olive.

OLIVE The olive branch is often a symbol of peace. This olive, added to the six traditional items, is to remind us, as we celebrate this festival of freedom, that we can never be truly free until we have peace in our homes, in our community, and in the world.

ROASTED SHANKBONE One of the most striking symbols of Passover is the roasted lamb shankbone (called zeroah), which commemorates the paschal (lamb) sacrifice made the night the ancient Hebrews fled Egypt. Some say it symbolizes the outstretched arm of God (the Hebrew word zeroah can mean “arm”).

MAROR (BITTER HERB) Bitter herbs (usually horseradish) bring tears to the eyes and recall the bitterness of slavery. The Seder refers to the slavery in Egypt, but people are called to look at their own bitter enslavements.

CHAROSET There’s nothing further from maror than charoset (“cha-ROH-set”), the sweet salad of apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon that represents the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to make bricks.

KARPAS Karpas is a green vegetable. Karpas symbolizes the freshness of spring.

SALT WATER Salt water symbolizes the tears and sweat of enslavement, though paradoxically, it’s also a symbol for purity, springtime, and the sea.

ROASTED EGG The roasted egg (baytsah) stands in place of one of the sacrificial offerings which was performed in the days of the Second Temple. Another popular interpretation is that the egg is like the Jewish people: the hotter you make it for them, the tougher they get.

Our faith gives us many holidays to celebrate throughout the year and they are all times for self reflection, gently guiding us to a better path in life. We are each given a chance to reflect on our past year; to think about where we have been and how we will live our lives in the year to come. We reaffirm our commitment to lead good and meaningful lives, promoting freedom and peace wherever we go.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: JewBelong