Passover comes from the Bible, first mentioned in
the book of Exodus. As God pronounced to the people
of Israel enslaved in Egypt that he would free them,
he said he would "Smite all the firstborn in the
land of Egypt." However, he instructed the
Israelites to put a sign of lamb's blood on their
door posts: "and when I see the blood, I will pass
over you." (Exodus 12) also see: Jewish Holidays -
Names of Jewish Months
You've cleaned the house for Passover, now it is
time to prepare a seder plate:
Here's How:
1: The Seder Plate can be specially made for
Passover or simply a
paper plate on which your children have drawn and
written the Passover
symbols.
2: Important part is that the plate display the
following items:
Baytzah
Charoset
Zeroa
Karpas
Maror
Chazeret (optional)
3: Remember
everything you will need will have to be kosher for
Passover. Next to the Kosher Symbol will be a P or
the words "Kosher for Passover.
4: You will need
the following foods for your seder plate: apples,
walnuts, kosher wine for Passover, cinnamon, sugar,
shank bone or poultry neck, egg, parsley or potato,
celery, horseradish root or prepared horseradish.
5: Charoset is mixture of apples, nuts, wine and
spices.
Charoset is symbolic of the mortar the Jewish slaves
made in their building for the Egyptians. To make
charoset, prepare 1 cup of walnuts, 1 granny smith
green apple, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 2 tsp. sugar, and red
wine to moisten. Chop the nuts and apples to the
consistency you want (a food processor can be used).
Sprinkle with spices, and moisten with wine. The
texture of the charoset should remind us of mortar.
6: Zeroa is a
shankbone or neck of poultry, roasted.
Zeroa is a reminder of the "mighty arm of G-d" as
the Bible describes it. It is also symbolic of the
Paschal lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice in
Temple days. Roast the shankbone in the oven for
about 30 minutes
7: Baytzah is a
hard-boiled egg.
Baytzah is symbolic
of the regular festival sacrifice brought in the
days of the Temple. Some authorities have
interpreted this as a symbol of mourning for the
loss of the two Temples (the first was destroyed by
the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E., the second by the
Romans in 70 C.E.). With the Temples destroyed,
sacrifices could no longer be offered. The egg
symbolized this loss and traditionally became the
food of mourners.
8: Karpas is a
vegetable. Parsley or a potato is generally used.
Karpas is dipped in salt water to represent tears.
The custom of serving karpas dates back to Jerusalem
of the 1st and 2nd centuries when it was common to
begin a formal meal by passing around vegetables as
hors d’oeuvres.
9: 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.
10: 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.
Passover Last Minute Tips:
Prepare the Seder Plate long before the Seder meal
so you are not pressured to get it ready at the last
minute.
Allowing children to help you prepare the Seder
Plate is a fun and effective way to teach them about
the symbolism of the food and their connection to
the Passover story.
How long will the seder take? Good question -- Plan
on at least 3 hours for the seder and meal. However,
that is a very fast seder.... some last to the early
morning.
Since "Seder" means "order", it is not unexpected
that there is an order to the night's proceedings.
The night goes as follows [the Hebrew read left to
right]:
Kaddesh קדש (Saying of Kiddush blessing and the
first cup of Wine)
Ur'chatz ורחץ (The washing of the hands)
Karpas כרפס (Dipping of the Karpas in salt water)
Yachatz יחץ (Break middle matzoh. It becomes the
Afikomen)
Maggid מגיד(Telling of the Passover story. The
saying of the Four Question.)
Rochtzah רחץ(Second washing of the hands)
Motzi/ Matzah מוציא / מצה (Saying of the matzah
blessing)
Maror מרור (Eating of charoset and maror)
Korech כורך (Eating of Matzah, charoset, and maror)
Shulchan Orech שולחן עורך (Dinner is served)
Tzafun צפון (Eating of the Afikomen)
Barech ברך (After dinner blessing, Wine, and in
Ashkenazi families: welcoming of Elijah the Prophet)
Hallel הלל (Song singing, more wine)
Nirtzah נירצה (Conclusion)
Jewish Secular Calendar Starting after sunset Ending
before sunset
5765 23 April 2005 1 May 2005
5766 12 April 2006 20 April 2006
5767 2 April 2007 10 April 2007
5768 19 April 2008 27 April 2008 |
