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

Zeroah  – A roasted lamb or shank bone symbolizing the sacrifice made at the great temple on Passover

Beitzah  – The egg symbolizes a different holiday offering that was brought to the temple

Matzah – 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. We commemorate this by removing all bread and bread products from our home during Passover.

We will speak of Elijah's cup and Miriam's cup later in the seder.


haggadah Section: Introduction