Passover Seder plate

Gastronomie juive en %C3%89gypte (cropped)

== Passover Seder Plate ==

The Passover Seder plate (Hebrew: קערת ליל הסדר , ke'arat lēl ha-sēdēr) is a special plate containing symbolic foods used during the Passover Seder. The Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Each of the six items arranged on the plate has special significance to the retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt, which is the focus of this ritual meal.

Items on the Seder Plate

The Seder plate traditionally holds six items, each of which has a specific meaning:

• Maror (bitter herbs): These are typically horseradish or romaine lettuce, symbolizing the bitterness and harshness of the slavery that the Hebrews endured in Egypt.
• Charoset (sweet paste): A mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and spices that represents the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to build the storehouses of Egypt.
• Karpas (vegetable): Usually parsley or celery, dipped in salt water to symbolize the tears shed by the Hebrew slaves.
• Z'roa (shank bone): A roasted lamb shank bone, symbolizing the Paschal lamb that was sacrificed the night the Hebrews left Egypt.
• Beitzah (egg): A roasted or hard-boiled egg, symbolizing the Korban Chagigah (festival sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem.
• Chazeret (second bitter herb): Often romaine lettuce, used in addition to the maror to fulfill the commandment to eat bitter herbs twice during the Seder.

Additional Items

In addition to the six traditional items, some Seder plates may include other symbolic foods:

• Orange: Some modern Seders include an orange on the Seder plate as a symbol of inclusion and the fruitfulness of all Jews, including those who have been marginalized.
• Olive: Some Seders include an olive as a symbol of peace and hope for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Seder plate is a central element of the Passover Seder, which is one of the most widely observed Jewish rituals. The items on the plate help participants to fulfill the commandment to tell the story of the Exodus and to remember the suffering and liberation of the Hebrew people. The Seder plate and its contents are deeply embedded in Jewish culture and tradition, serving as a tangible connection to the history and heritage of the Jewish people.

Variations

While the traditional Seder plate includes the six items listed above, there are variations in different Jewish communities. For example, some Sephardic Jews may include additional items such as rice or beans, which are permissible during Passover according to their customs.

See Also

• Passover
• Seder
• Haggadah
• Exodus
• Jewish cuisine
• Jewish holidays