Tonight we attended a Seder dinner. Its an enjoyable, thought-provoking meal/ceremony.
Here Emma displays the Seder Plate. It contains
Charoset, a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and spices, symbolizes the mortar the Jewish slaves made in their building for the Egyptians.
Celery as a substitute for Zeroa, a roasted shankbone symbolic of the Paschal lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice in Temple days.
Baytzah, a hard-boiled egg, symbolizes the festival sacrifice brought in the days of the Temple. Some interpret this as a symbol of mourning for the Temples as the sacrifices were no longer offered after the Temples were destroyed.
Karpas, generally parsley or a potato, is dipped in salt water to represent tears. The custom of serving karpas dates back to the 1st and 2nd centuries when formal meal began by passing around vegetables.
Maror is bitter herbs. Horseradish root or prepared horseradish is generally used. Maror represents the bitter life of the Israelites during the time of their enslavement in Egypt.
Chazeret is a bitter vegetable. Celery or lettuce can be used. Those who do not put chazeret on their Seder Plate sometimes put a dish of salt water in its place.
Martin was good with the Charoset and Matzoh ball soup, and not as keen on the bitter herbs and horseradish.
one year ago…