00.a.2+The+Seder+Table

=The Seder Table=

The Seder Plate
Think of the Seder Plate as a “combination plate” dinner that formed the meal in ancient days. The foods were not merely symbolic, but were eaten — from the plate. As the Seder menu changed, the foods on the Seder Plate required explanation. (clockwise from the upper-right-of-center)

Zeroa זרוע (shankbone)
represents the Passover offering made in Temple times. It will be explained during the Seder (page 26). At vegetarian Seders it has become customary to use a red beet instead. No classic prooftext exists for the use of a beet. Some people refer to Talmud Bavli Pesachim 114b. However, this comment actually deals with rice (!) and beets as additional foods at the meal itself—not a symbolic food on the Seder Plate. Nonetheless, the blood-red color of the beet serves as a metaphoric stand-in for the blood of the lamb shank. I suggest scoring and roasting a beet with its greens.

Beitzah ביצעה (boiled or roasted egg)
represents the holiday offering made in the days of the Temple. It plays no role in the Seder. It will be explained during the Seder.

Maror מרור (bitter herbs)
though possibly horehound, it is usually a piece of unground horseradish, represents the bitterness of slavery in Egypt. 1 It will be explained during the Seder.

Charoset חרוסת
a mixture of chopped nuts, apples and wine (and other wonderful ingredients) represents the clay the Jews used to make bricks for the Egyptians. 2 It will be explained during the Seder.

Chazeret חזרת
another bitter herb, usually ground horseradish, or a bitter lettuce such as endive. It plays no role in the Seder, and will not be explained.

Karpas כרפס
any green vegetable (parsley, celery—some traditions suggest a boiled potato), represents the new life of spring.3 It will be explained during the Seder.

Kiddush Cup
One cup for everyone at the Seder. We will drink at least four times. Sufficient bottles of wine and/or grape juice for refilling should be available. These will be explained throughout the Seder.

Candles
At least two. These will be lit and explained as the Seder begins (page 5).

Yahrtzeit (Memorial) Candle
This will be lit and explained during the Seder ( page 33).

Elijah’s Cup
Stands empty; it will be filled and explained during the Seder ( page 38).

Salt Water
Or a dressing of wine vinegar and/or apple vinegar, will be used and explained during the Seder ( page 7).

Matzot
Three pieces, covered on a plate will be eaten and explained during the Seder. (Extra Matzot should be available to assure enough for everyone.)

Bowl of Tap Water
which the facilitator will use for washing hands, is placed beside the table at the appropriate spot.

Pillows
for reclining during the meal are available for all.

Miriam’s Well
A large pitcher of fresh, tasty drinking water from which all will drink at the end of the Seder (also a bowl(s) to empty the remainder of wine in the cups before drinking from Miriam’s Well) It will be explained at the end of the Seder ( page 46).

Spring flowers
for decoration.