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Seder Plate by Ariella
Contributed by JTL

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

Seder Plate Intro

            The seder plate is the pinnacle of the seder. It ties together the sections and forms a cohesive ceremonial theme. While each family has their own traditions and seder conversations, the seder plate is the biggest constant, binding Klal Yisrael with an interesting array of foods. The six seder plate necessities are as follows:

  1. Zeroah (Shankbone)
  • Symbolism: The Zeroah is a piece of roasted meat or lamb bone (forearm) that symbolizes the Pesach offering given annually before Pesach during the times of the Beit Hamikdash. The original Pesach offering occurred on the eve before the Jews left Egypt. The Jews tied a lamb to their beadpost (which was dangerous because Egyptians worshipped them) and then feasted on the offering.
  • Form: Some people use the forearm of a lamb, which is called the zeroa, because of the verse “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm (zeroa).” Some don’t like to use something so close to the actual offering because we don’t live in the times of the Beit Hamikdash and instead use  roasted chicken neck.
  • Seder role: The zeroa is not eaten, but rather sits on the seder plate the whole time solely or symbolic reasons.
  1. Beitzah (Egg)
    • Symbolism: The hard-boiled egg symbolizes another Passover offering in the times of the Beit Hamikdash, the Chagiga offering. They actually did not offer an egg as the karbon, but rather the origin of this tradition is the fact that the Aramaic word for “egg” is “be’iah” which is similar to the word in Aramaic meaning desire, which symbolizes that this was the night Hashem desired to save us. The meat used for the actual Karbon comprised the main part of the seder meal back in the day.
    • Seder role: The egg is placed on the seder plate and then removed when the meal begins to be eaten (though it is usually not). Those who do eat it often eat it with the saltwater for Karpas.
  2. Maror and Chazeret (Bitter Herbs)
    • Symbolism: Maror (bitter herbs) are meant to remind us of the bitterness our forefathers endured as slaves in Egypt.
    • Form: The most commonly used maror is horseradish or romaine lettuce. Though the leaves of the romain lettuce is not bitter, the stem turns hard and bitter when left in the ground. This parallels our enslavement in Egypt because at first the work was done for pay and seemed like a good idea and it soon turned into cruel forced labor. For this reason, romaine is preferred over horseradish. Some top romaine lettuce leaves (chazeret) with horseradish (maror) for the ultimate effect. The typical custom is to separate them and put them both on the seder plate.
    • Seder role: It is eaten with Matzah and Maror during the seder. Get your water ready, its HOT!!
  3. Charoset (Paste)
    • Symbolism: Charoset represents the mortar and brick the Jews used when slaves to build Pitom and Ramses for Paroah.
    • Form: this is the yummiest part of the seder. Every family prepares it differently but it comprises all or some of the following: apples, pears, wine, and nuts.
    • Seder role: The maror is dipped into it during the seder before being eaten. However, many people eat a lot during the meal because it tastes to good!
  4. Karpas (Vegetable)
    • Symbolism: The Hebrew word karpas can be rearranged to spell perech (plus a samech) which means backbreaking work. The samech’s gematriah is 60 or 60 myriads, alluding to the 60,000 Jewish males over the age of 20 who were enslaved in Egypt.   
    • Form: Some have the custom to use a boiled potato and some use parsley.
    • Seder role: During the Karpas section of the seder, everyone takes some Karpas and dips it into saltwater (representative of the Jews’ tears in Egypt). After saying a blessing, they eat it.

The format of the seder plate is as follows:

picture wont post but find it at: https://www.google.com/search?q=seder+plate+into&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwidvb-b84HTAhVbHGMKHdPFDpE4ChD8BQgGKAE&biw=1242&bih=602#tbm=isch&q=seder+plate++format&*&imgrc=GbXuMELRPYaJ0M:

Sources: Chabad.com, shamash.org
haggadah Section: Introduction

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