The Meaning of Passover Foods
Every food on the Passover Seder Plate has a Symbolic Meaning
Apr 13, 2008
While the main meal of the Passover Seder often varies from country to country – and family to family – there are several specific ingredients to a Seder that are part of every celebration, whether it is held in Jerusalem, Sydney or New York City. This is because they symbolize specific portions of the story that is traditionally related during the Passover Seder and, like the Christian practice of Communion (which, in itself, derives from a portion of the Passover Seder meal) partaking of the food becomes a tangible metaphor for taking in the teaching and the history and is, of course, part of the whole meaning of being Jewish. The different parts of the Passover Seder meal are lined out in another article on Suite101, but here is a more detailed explanation of what the various foods mean on a traditional Passover Seder plate:
Matzoh (of Matzah)
This unleavened bread reminds Jews that they needed to leave Egypt very quickly, following God’s final plague sent to convince the Egyptian Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country. Tradition, the Torah and the Christian Bible all say that they left so quickly that the bread dough in their pans did not even have time to rise. It was quickly baked in its unleavened state and wrapped to go. Hence, the three matzahs that are eaten during the Passover Seder are also brought to the table wrapped in a napkin.
Maror
The Maror or bitter herbs that are on the Seder plate are there to symbolize the bitterness of the Jews years of slavery in Egypt. In America, this is often either thin slices of horseradish or small pieces of various varieties of lettuce.
Harosset (of Charosset or Charoses)
This compote of apples, figs, dates, nuts, cinnamon and wine (there are many recipes) is on the plate to remind Jews of the mortar they used during the endless building projects tradition says they engaged in in Egypt.
Beitzah
A hard-boiled egg that is on the plate to symbolize the renewal o life and the Jews eternal existence as a people.
Karpas
In America, this is traditionally either parsley or celery that I served with a bowl of saltwater (is “tears”). The family dips the vegetable into the saltwater in memory of all the tears the Jews have shed.
Zeroah
The meal itself. It is often lamb and, even when it is not, there is often a lamb shankbone on the table to symbolize the traditional sacrificial offering. In America, the actual Seder meal is as likely to be a beef brisket or a roasted chicken, as it is to be lamb.
Wine
During a Passover Seder, four glasses of wine are consumed at very specific parts of the Seder celebration. On the fourth round, a special glass is also poured for the prophet Elijah – and the doors of the home are opened briefly to allow his spirit to grace them with his presence. Elijah prophesied the coming of the Messiah.
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