Zeroa

Zeroa is a traditional food item that is part of the Passover Seder plate. It is typically a roasted bone, often a shank bone, that symbolizes the Paschal Lamb, the lamb that was sacrificed in the Temple in Jerusalem on the eve of the Exodus from Egypt during Passover.

History

The tradition of including Zeroa on the Seder plate dates back to the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Paschal Lamb was sacrificed on the eve of Passover and its blood was used to mark the doorposts of the Israelites' homes, as described in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. The lamb was then roasted and eaten as part of the Passover meal. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the practice of sacrificing the Paschal Lamb ceased, but the tradition of including a symbolic representation of the lamb on the Seder plate continued.

Symbolism

The Zeroa serves as a visual reminder of the Paschal Lamb and the sacrifice that was made by the Israelites on the eve of their Exodus from Egypt. It is also symbolic of God's outstretched arm (the Hebrew word "Zeroa" can mean "arm" or "shank"), signifying the divine intervention that led to the Israelites' liberation from slavery.

Preparation and Use

The Zeroa is prepared by roasting a bone — usually a lamb or chicken shank bone — until it is browned. It is then placed on the Seder plate, but is not typically eaten during the Seder meal. Instead, it is often saved and used again the following year.

See Also

• Passover Seder
• Seder Plate
• Paschal Lamb
• Exodus