Host: The Seder Plate is a reminder of the Passover story. Each item may symbolize many things.

Maror is the bitter herb. We use a piece of horseradish. It symbolizes the harshness of lives of the Jews in Egypt. The bitter herb also reminds us of the bitterness inside all of us. We are reminded to call attention to any prejudiced ideas we carry inside us, though we may not realize, and uproot them.

Charoset is a sweet mixture that symbolizes the mortar used by the Jewish slaves in Egypt. Charoset also is the mortar that holds our community together. When we listen to and support each other, we are listened to and supported by others.

Karpas is a green vegetable. We use Parsley. It is a symbol of the arrival of spring. We dip the parsley in salt water to remind us of the tears our ancestors shed during the years of slavery and oppression in Egypt.

Zeroah is a shank bone. It reminds us of God’s command to paint the doorways of the Jewish households with lamb’s blood so that they would be passed over and spared from the Pharaoh's plagues.

Beitzah is the egg that represents a temple offering. The inside of the egg is very different from its shell which reminds us that although we can choose how we identify ourselves, we can’t always choose how the world sees us. When others assume things about us that don’t agree with our concept of ourselves, or when people cannot see an identity that we hold close to our hearts, we can feel dehumanized. Tonight, we celebrate everyone as they wish to identify.

The orange on the seder plate symbolizes full inclusion in modern day Judaism: for women, people with disabilities, intermarried couples, and the LGBT Community.

Matzoh

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

Elijah’s and Miriam's Cups

There are two ceremonial cups on the Seder table. One contains wine and is left untouched in honor of the prophet, Elijah, who will arrive one day as an unknown guest to herald the coming of the Messiah. Elijah’s cup reminds us that if anyone comes to the door during the seder, they will be welcomed and invited to share our meal. The other cup is filled with water in honor of Miriam, the sister of Moses and a prophetess. After the exodus when the Jews wandered through the desert, a well of water followed Miriam. Miriam’s cup honors her role in the Passover story and the spirit of women, who nurture their families just as Miriam's well sustained the Jewish people.


haggadah Section: Urchatz