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.

Maror – The bitter herb. This symbolizes the harshness of  the lives of the Jews in Egypt.

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

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. The saltwater represents the tears of the slaves of Egypt.

Zeroah – A roasted lamb or shank bone. When the Jews fled Egypt, they sacrificed a lamb to thank God for leading them out of slavery. We aren’t big into animal sacrifices anymore, but this shank bone has been in our family since Betty Schwartz brought it home for her family’s Seder, and we treasure it as a way of connecting to previous Schwartz Seders.

Beitzah – The egg. Eggs are often eaten during mourning because they symbolize the cycle of life, which can bring comfort in a time of sadness. Although there are many different interpretations for why the egg is included on the Seder plate, we eat the egg and mourn for the lives of the first-born Egyptian children who were taken by God in the Tenth plague. Freedom often comes at the expense of innocent lives, and so Passover is a time to celebrate but also a time to mourn.

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.  Traditionally,  households commemorate this by removing all bread and bread products from our home during Passover.

Elijah’s Cup

The fifth ceremonial cup of wine poured during the Seder. It is left untouched in honor of Elijah, who, according to tradition, is the harbinger of the Messiah. Elijah visits Jewish homes on Passover and is welcomed in by the children to share in the Seder.

Miriam’s Cup

Miriam was the sister of Moses and a prophetess in her own right. 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’. The tradition of Miriam’s cup is meant to honor Miriam’s role in the story of the Jewish people.


haggadah Section: Introduction