Unlocking the Meaning of the Passover Seder: Symbolic Foods and Traditions
Delve into the rich traditions of the Passover Seder, where horseradish, wine, and unleavened bread carry profound symbolism. Discover why 'Seder' meaning 'order' in Hebrew, signifies the deep significance of this sacred meal in Jewish tradition.
Seder, which means "order" in Hebrew, is a traditional Passover meal that holds great significance.
Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is a yearly holiday that commemorates the Jews' escape from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus when Moses led them to freedom.
The holiday typically lasts for seven days in Israel or eight days elsewhere. Each family and community has their own unique traditions for celebrating the holiday, but there are some common elements you can expect to see at most celebrations.
Israeli Jewish worshippers light candles as they perform a ceremony for Passover in Kathmandu on April 14, 2014. Hundreds of Jewish travellers in Kathmandu attended what organisers claim was the world's biggest Passover celebration, as food supplies delayed for weeks due to a diplomats' strike arrived just hours before the feast. AFP PHOTO / Prakash MATHEMA
Israeli Jewish worshippers gathered in Kathmandu on April 14, 2014, to celebrate Passover. The ceremony included the lighting of candles and was attended by hundreds of Jewish travelers. Organizers touted it as the world's largest Passover celebration. Food supplies, delayed for weeks due to a diplomats' strike, finally arrived just in time for the feast. The event was captured in a photo by AFP photographer Prakash Mathe.
Related article
Passover Fast Facts
Passover begins on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. In 2024, this falls on April 22nd and in 2025, it will be on April 12th. Remember, days are counted from sundown to sundown. This means that the holiday officially starts at sunset on the day before.
The most important tradition of Passover is the Seder meal.
As Rachel Scheinerman, the editor of MyJewishLearning.com, explains, it’s common to have two Seders.
The Jewish calendar is lunar-solar, meaning a new month begins with a new moon. This occurs when the moon, once completely hidden, starts to show a tiny crescent in the sky.
In ancient times, the people at the temple in Jerusalem would officially declare the start of a new month upon sighting the new moon. To inform other communities, messengers on horseback were sent out or fires were lit on hilltops, visible for miles around.
Now, with the convenience of phone apps, Jews all over the world can easily check the exact day and time. Despite this modern convenience, many Jews living outside of Israel still follow the old tradition of holding two seders – one on the first night and another on the second.
In certain communities, having two seders can bring a fun twist to the Passover celebration. For instance, the first night's seder may be reserved for family members only, while the second night could be spent with friends or members of a synagogue community.
“The Seder is a way of rehearsing history, but is also a way of turning history into a shared memory,” says Scheinerman.
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, chairman of the Chabad Jewish Educational Center in Berlin, prepares matzos and the Seder plate at the beginning of Passover.
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, chairman of the Chabad Jewish Educational Center in Berlin, prepares matzos and the Seder plate at the beginning of Passover.
Fabian Sommer/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images
What goes on a seder plate?
There are six items present on a seder plate. They are:
A Seder plate for Passover includes specific foods in designated spots. These foods are Karpas (like parsley), Charoset (a sweet paste), Maror (usually horseradish), Zaroa (a shank bone), Chazeret (lettuce), and an egg. Each food represents a different aspect of the holiday.
At a Seder, everyone gets a plate of food, but the Seder plate is unique for Passover. It showcases the six special foods mentioned above, along with Hebrew writing and colorful designs. This plate is displayed and shared with everyone at the meal throughout the evening.
Parsley, which represents spring, is dipped into salty walter that represents tears.
Parsley, which represents spring, is dipped into salty walter that represents tears.
Angela Rowlings/Boston Herald/Getty Images
Can you put other foods on the seder plate?
There is a popular story that a male rabbi once compared women on the bimah (the synagogue altar) to an orange on a seder plate.
Although the story may not be based on actual events, it has resonated with many progressive Jews who have embraced the metaphor for their own rituals and ceremonies.
Now, many Jews are including marginalized communities in Judaism by placing an orange on their Seder plate. This gesture shows that they are thinking of groups such as LGBT individuals and undocumented immigrants.
Berlin-based Rabbi Avigayil Halpern mentions that some communities are adding an olive to their Seder plate this year. This is a way to show solidarity with Palestinians and call for peace. Additionally, there are groups that include a tomato to represent farmworkers' rights and sunflower seeds to symbolize those fleeing the war in Ukraine. However, it is important to note that sunflower seeds are considered kitnyiot, which are products avoided by some people during Passover.
There can be adjustments made to certain Seder items to accommodate allergies and dietary preferences. For instance, Scheinerman's family, who are vegetarians, opts to use a beet instead of a shank bone.
Matzo is a cornerstone of the Passover holiday.
Matzo is a cornerstone of the Passover holiday.
Liudmila Chernetska/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Why don’t you eat the food that’s on the Seder plate?
The foods on a Seder plate are symbolic, each representing a different element or theme of the Passover story. They are meant for discussion and display rather than for immediate consumption. (And sometimes they've been sitting out for a while, so it's best not to eat them.)
But don't fret, you won't go hungry at a Seder. A proper meal is served, including Jewish classics such as beef brisket and matzo ball soup.
During the Passover holiday, observant Jews avoid eating leavened products like bread, pasta, beer, and cookies. This tradition stems from the story of the Jews fleeing Egypt in a hurry, not allowing their breads to rise.
Instead, they eat matzo, an unleavened bread that resembles a cracker. Matzo is a common food in Jewish households during this time and can be enjoyed in various ways. For breakfast, it can be mixed with eggs to make a dish similar to an omelet, known as matzo brei. It can also be coated with toffee and chocolate to create a sweet treat.
Matzo plays a key role at the Seder table, beyond just being a snack. In many families, a piece of matzo known as the afikomen is hidden for children to find, with the reward going to the successful seeker.
During the Seder, matzo is used to recount the story of the Exodus and is also enjoyed as part of the meal. One tradition is the hillel sandwich, where maror and charoset are placed between two pieces of matzo and eaten together, symbolizing the mixture of bitterness and sweetness in life.
streits matzo leaving new york city_00003710.jpg
streits matzo leaving new york city_00003710.jpg
video
Related video
Last Passover in NYC for matzo maker Streit’s
Okay, so that’s the food covered. What about drinking?
During the Seder, it is customary to drink four cups of wine. These drinks, like the foods, also hold symbolic meaning. Rabbi Halpern explains that many aspects of the Seder are influenced by the idea of a fancy Roman dinner.
I believe that the four cups of wine symbolize the four foremothers - Sarah, Rachel, Rebecca, and Leah. Similarly, the three matzos on the Seder table are thought to represent Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This tradition connects us to our ancestors during the Seder.
In addition to the four cups of wine, other beverages are also welcome at the Seder. However, it is important to note that grain alcohols and beer are not typically served. For children, grape juice is often provided as a substitute for wine.
Ultimately, there is no one right way to celebrate Passover or to have a good time at the Seder.
Halpern believes that the traditional Seder text and foods offer a lot of depth. She also emphasizes the importance of being creative, letting things evolve, and fully engaging in the Seder experience.
Editor's P/S:
The Passover Seder is a captivating ritual that weaves together history, symbolism, and cherished traditions. It is a time to reflect on the resilience and liberation of the Jewish people, while also fostering a sense of community and shared memory. The symbolic foods on the Seder plate, such as matzo, maror, and charoset, invite contemplation and discussion about the complexities of the Passover story.
Furthermore, the practice of including additional items on the Seder plate, such as an orange to represent marginalized communities or an olive to symbolize peace, demonstrates the adaptability and inclusivity of the Seder. It is a testament to the enduring power of the Passover narrative and its capacity to inspire contemporary interpretations and gestures of solidarity.
