We place a Seder Plate at our table as a reminder to discuss certain aspects of the Passover story. Each item has its own significance.

The Seder Plate (Malkuth)

Yesod - Maror – The bitter root. This symbolizes the harshness of lives of the Jews in Egypt.

Netzah Charoset – A delicious mix of sweet wine, apples, cinnamon and nuts that resembles the mortar used as bricks of the many buildings the Jewish slaves built in Egypt, but also expresses the power of life, love and giving.

Hod Karpas – A green vegetable, usually parsley, is a reminder of the green sprouting up all around us during spring and is used to dip into the saltwater. It is Joseph's many colored coat, the path into bondage.

Tiferet The Orange, the sun, the middle way, the eight-fold path. Astanga, but also all those who feel excluded from the ritual of passover.

Chesed Zeroah – A roasted Beet symbolizing the sacrifice made at the great temple on Passover, but also, the strong arm of the Creator that broke the bondage in Egypt.

Gevurah Beitzah – The egg represents the temple that was destroyed and is continuously reborn.

Chokmah Elijah’s Cup for the unknown guest who will herald the advent of the Messiah. (Wisdom)

Binah Miriam’s Cup filled with water and placed next to Elijah’s cup. Miriam was the sister of Moses and a prophetess After the exodus when the Israelites are wandering through the desert, just as Hashem gave them Manna to eat, legend says that a well of water followed Miriam and it was called ‘Miriam’s Well’. (Compassion and Mercy)

Keter Matzah Matzah is the unleavened bread we eat to remember that when the jews fled Egypt, they didn’t even have time to let the dough rise on their bread. It is the bread of affliction, but also the bread of freedom. The Logos, and the Crown.


haggadah Section: Introduction