Zeroa (Shank Bone)

A roasted bone (often a lamb shank or chicken bone) is placed on the seder plate. The bone serves as a symbol of God's mighty arm that convinced the Egyptians to free the slaves. It also represents the Paschal lamb that was used as a special sacrifice in the days of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

Beitzah (Egg)

A hard boiled egg or roasted egg represents the second sacrifice that was offered on the eve of Passover at the Temple. The egg serves as a symbol of mourning, and is used as a reminder of our sadness caused by the destruction of the Holy Temple. The round shape also reminds us of the circle of life.

Karpas (Vegetable)

A vegetable other than bitter herbs (parsely, for example) is placed on the seder plate. Since Passover was also an agricultural festival celebrated by our ancestors, karpas represents the arrival of spring.

Maror and Chazeret (Bitter Herb)

These are the bitter herbs symbolizing the bitter life the Jews led when they were slaves in Egypt, which are eaten twice throughout the seder, once by themselves and another time with matzah.

Charoset

Charoset is used to symbolize the brick and mortar the slaves used in making the Egyptian buildings. The sweetness also offsets the bitter herbs, much as our freedom offsets the bitterness of remembered slavery


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu