The three symbols of the seder

Before leaving the Maggid, we go over the major themes of the story one more time, as mandated by Rabban Gamliel, the leader of the Jewish people in the time that the Haggadah was composed. These themes are epitomized in three of Pesach’s strongest symbols: The Pesach lamb, the matza and the maror. More than just symbolic table decorations for the centerpiece, these are “edible symbols,” essential foods, whose significance must be internalized verbally, and later orally, by all the participants in the Seder. Why these three? The Pesach lamb, matza and maror constituted the original menu in the Egyptian Seder: “They shall eat the meat (of the lamb) . . . roasted over the fire, with matza and with maror” (Exodus 12:8).


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu