What’s on the table? There a number of special items on the table tonight. Here is a brief summary:

Maror – A bitter herb (horseradish) symbolizing the pain of slavery.

Charoset – A mixture of apples and nuts that represents the mortar used by Jewish slaves to build bricks.

Karpas – A green vegetable (parsley) that recalls the bounty of springtime.

Zeroah – A roasted lamb shankbone that commemorates the sacrifice made at the temple the night the ancient Jews fled Egypt.

Beitzah – A roasted egg representing a second sacrifice that was brought to the temple, as well as the cycle of life.  

Chazeret - A second bitter herb (romaine lettuce) that also symbolizing the bitterness of slavery.

Orange - Signifies full inclusion in modern day Judaism (women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+)

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Matzah

Matzah is the unleavened bread we eat to remember that when the Jews fled Egypt, they didn’t have time to let their dough rise into bread.

Elijah’s Cup

A glass of wine left untouched in honor of the Prophet Elijah, who, according to tradition, will arrive one day as an unknown guest to herald the advent of the Messiah.

Miriam’s Cup

A glass of water is placed next to Elijah’s cup. Miriam was the sister of Moses and a prophetess in her own right. After the exodus when the Israelites wandered through the desert legend says that a well of water followed Miriam. We honor Miriam’s role in the story of the Jewish people as we honor all women, who nurture their families just as Miriam helped sustain the Israelites.


haggadah Section: Introduction