We were honored to be guests at Adam and Cristin's family Seder last night. Besides enjoying a laid-back and delicious meal, I learned loads about the tradition and celebration of Passover. Here's what I now know about the Seder Plate, which is placed on the table with six foods that are symbolically important in telling the story of the Exodus from Egypt. 
1. Maror (bitter herbs/horseradish)-this symbolizes the bitterness of slavery.
2. Haroset (yummy mix of chopped apples, cinnamon, walnuts and wine)-this symbolizes the mortar used by the Jewish slaves in constructions for the Egyptions.
3. Karpas (Parsley)- this is dipped into salt water (symbolic of tears) and eaten to symbolize the hardships and meager nourishment the slaves endured.
4. Z'roa (roasted lamb shankbone) symbolizing the Paschal lamb that was offered up in the Temple in Jerusalem.
5. Beitzah (boiled egg)- this represents the holiday offering brought in the days of the Temple and is also a symbol for the mourning over the destruction and loss of the Temple.
6. Matzo (unleavened bread)-symbolizing the bread taken before it had time to rise as the Jews fled Egypt.
1 comment:
Wow, you now know more about the Passover foods than I do, and half my family is Jewish!
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