What is the Seder Plate for Passover and How to Choose It?
Among the most important Jewish holidays, Passover (Pessah) marks the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It begins on the 15th of Nissan in the Jewish calendar and lasts for eight days.
An essential part of this celebration is the Seder Plate, which contains six spaces specifically designed to hold symbolic foods, each representing a particular meaning in the story of the Israelites' liberation.
The preparation of the various elements for the Seder plate can take several hours or even days. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare all the Seder foods before the holiday begins.
On our website, you can explore different styles of Jewish Passover plates: silver mirror Seder plate with small bowls, gold or blue Seder plates, plates with intricate designs, or even rectangular Seder plates.
The Symbolic Foods of the Seder Plate
Literally meaning "order," the Seder plate follows a specific arrangement of foods. The plate should contain the following seven items:
- Three Matzot: Placed on the Seder plate, these represent the three groups of Jews: the Kohanim (priests), the Levites, and the Israelites. Matzah is unleavened bread, also called "bread of affliction." It is made of only two ingredients: flour and water. It is baked quickly to prevent it from rising. The matzah eaten during the Seder symbolizes humility and the hardships endured by the Jews in Egypt. If other ingredients are added to the dough, it is considered "rich bread" and is not permitted for the mitzvah.
In addition to the three Matzot, the following items are placed on the Seder plate:
The Shank Bone (Zeroa): A piece of lamb or goat bone, placed in the upper right section of the Seder plate, symbolizes the power with which God liberated the Israelites from Egypt. The lamb also reminds us of the Paschal lamb, which was once sacrificed in the Temple.
The Egg (Beitsa): A hard-boiled egg, placed in the upper left part of the Seder plate, symbolizes the sacrifice made during each festival on the eve of Passover, ensuring the Paschal lamb was eaten in a state of satisfaction. The egg also symbolizes life.
Bitter Herbs (Maror and Chazeret): Placed in the center of the Seder plate, bitter herbs represent the suffering and bitterness of the Jewish slaves in Egypt. Romaine lettuce or another bitter vegetable is commonly used.
Charoset (Haroset): A sweet mixture of nuts, almonds, dates, cinnamon, wine, and fruits such as apples or pears. Placed in the lower right section of the Seder plate, this brownish mixture symbolizes the mortar that the Israelites used to build bricks and structures for Pharaoh in Egypt.
Vegetable (Karpas): Usually celery, placed in the lower left section of the Seder plate. The vegetable is dipped in vinegar or salt water, symbolizing the tears shed by the Jews during their slavery in Egypt. This also recalls the hyssop (Ezov) used by the Israelites to sprinkle lamb's blood on their doorposts before the plague of the firstborn, as well as an evocation of the salty waters of the Red Sea.
Next to the Sader plateau, we can find various complementary elements :
- A bowl of salt water, in which the vegetables (Karpas) are dipped.
- A cup of wine or grape juice for each participant. Four cups are consumed by each person at specific points during the Seder.
- A bowl of water is provided for hand-washing, so you do not have to leave the table during the meal.
Who Prepares the Seder Plate ?
Traditionally, the head of the household or the host of the Seder prepares the plate. However, it is often a collective task, involving several family members.
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