{"id":2196,"date":"2018-03-26T07:00:43","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/?p=2196"},"modified":"2019-01-09T09:43:26","modified_gmt":"2019-01-09T14:43:26","slug":"get-ready-for-passover-the-seder-plate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/hebrew\/get-ready-for-passover-the-seder-plate\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Ready for Passover: the Seder Plate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Passover Seder (\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d3\u05b6\u05e8) will be celebrated this year at the end of March. On the evening of Friday, March 30, 2018, Jewish families from all over the world will gather around their large family table to observe the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Food and wine will be generously served, and the traditional Seder plate (\u05e7\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7) will be placed in the center.<\/p>\n

\u05e7\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7 has an important place on the table during the big dinner of Passover eve. The Seder plate is a special plate, designed and decorated specifically for this annual purpose. If you don\u2019t have a designed plate don\u2019t worry, any other big plate will do.<\/p>\n

The Seder plate is composed of six edible items that each have symbolic meaning:<\/h5>\n
\u05d6\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7, \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e6\u05b8\u05d4, \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8, \u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea, \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1, \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea.<\/h5>\n
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Seder Plate by Rebecca Siegel from Flickr.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/p><\/div>\n

\u05d6\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7 (Ze-ro-ah)<\/h3>\n

The Passover sacrifice is a roasted lamb the Jews used to sacrifice at the old times. This ritual began when the Israelites were saved from the slavery in Egypt by God, the day before the exodus:<\/p>\n

\u201cTell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb\u00a0for his family…\u00a0Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.\u00a0Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs… Eat it in haste; it is the Lord\u2019s Passover.\u00a0On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals… The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0[Book of Exodus, chapter 12, verses 1-13]<\/p>\n

The Passover sacrifice continued as annual offering as a reminder of the exodus, and to the covenant between Israel and God. An offering the Jews continued to offer until the destruction of the Temple. Today only the Samaritans still sacrifice it<\/a>, while the Jews only commemorate it on the Seder plate. \u05d6\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7 is a roasted shank bone, of lamp or chicken, that symbolizes the roasted Passover sacrifice. It is merely a visual reminder, not to be eaten during the Seder.<\/p>\n

\u05d6\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7, literally means arm, is also a symbol to the power of God and to the way He librated us. A symbol to commemorate that God took the Israelites out of Egypt in a mighty arm, as it said in the Haggadah:<\/p>\n

\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4’ \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05e0\u05b0\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4.<\/p>\n

(=We were slaves in Egypt to Pharaoh, and God brought us out of there with strong hand and outstretched arm.)<\/p>\n

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Seder plate for sale in Tel-Aviv March 2018 (photo by Ayana)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1 (Kar-pas)<\/h3>\n

\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1 is a green vegetable. Which green vegetable exactly the Jewish texts don\u2019t determine, so basically any green vegetable will do. Usually, especially at the Sephardic Jews, you will see celery on \u05e7\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7. Some are very strict about it because if you look at the word \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1, and read it upwards you receive another word connected to Passover: \u05e1 \u05e4\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0. The letter \u05e1 in Gematria<\/a> is 60, and the word \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 means \u201ctravail\u201d. Hence eating green vegetables is a reminder of the 600,000 Israelites enslaved in Egypt. The Ashkenazi Jews are less strict about it, and they usually eat potatoes as \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1. My family, for example, eats potato, and we quite like it, because the way we are required to eat it.<\/p>\n

The \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1 stands as a symbol not just due to its name, but mainly due to the way we are ordered to eat it. The \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1 is the first thing to be eaten during the Seder. We dip it in salty water and then eat it. Why? Merely for this question. The Passover Seder is a special night, filled in with lots of small ceremonies, all for the purpose of commemorating the exodus. The core of this night embodies in its greatest commandment, as the Haggadah said:<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d2\u05b7\u05bc\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05e0\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 (=and you shall tell to your child on that day).<\/p>\n

Every father is commend to pass the story of the exodus to his child. Dipping the \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1 (potato or green vegetable) in salty water (that by them self symbolize the tears the Israelites shed in slavery) suppose to arouse curiosity among the children. The young generation of the family takes active part during the all evening, and the dinner is planned so the children will ask questions and be amazed by the unusual events.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Passover Seder 5771 – The Seder Plate by Edsel Little from Flickr.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0<\/p><\/div>\n

\u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 (Ma-ror)<\/h3>\n

\u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 is a bitter vegetable, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery. As it said in the Haggadah:<\/p>\n

\u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05e8\u00a0\u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05d5\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05de\u05d4? \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05de\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u05e8: \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e7\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05d3\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0.<\/p>\n

The discussion of which vegetable should be included as \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 began more than 2,000 years ago. Some of the Jewish scholars declared that any bitter vegetable can be eaten as \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 during the Seder. Some minimized it to chicory and a few other local wild plants. Nowadays most of the Jews use lettuce as \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8, and some use horseradish (=a spicy root).<\/p>\n

The \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 is the second thing to be eaten at the Seder. We should eat only a bite from the \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8, a tiny amount of it, dipped in the \u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea.<\/p>\n

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Cookies in the shape of Seder plate, March 2018 (photo by Ayana)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea (Ha-ro-set)<\/h3>\n

\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea represents the mortar the Israelites used, while working hard in Egypt, to build the bricks. It\u2019s to be eaten during the Passover dinner merely as a spread to dip the \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 and the \u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea in. But \u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea is maybe the best part of the Seder plate. It\u2019s sweet and delicious, and most Israelis enjoy eating it not only during Passover eve dinner. \u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea is a mixed paste of fruits, nuts and wine. There isn\u2019t a firm recipe everyone needs to follow, every family has its own way of making \u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea. Some insert only dates, other use apples as well. Some insert only walnuts, other use almonds as well. Here<\/a> are seven different recipes in Hebrew.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea (Ha-ze-ret)<\/h3>\n

Nowadays \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea is the Hebrew name of a very hot root \u2013 horseradish. But during the old times it was the Hebrew name of lettuce. This is way some families have the same \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 and \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea: they basically have two lettuces on their Seder plate. Some have instead only the \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8, and when it\u2019s time to eat the \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea, they eat the \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 again, and called it second \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8. Most of the families eat a red spicy paste made of \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea and beet (and hence the color red).<\/p>\n

After the \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1 and the \u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8, it is time to eat the \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea. We make a small sandwich out of matzo, and fill it with \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea dipped in \u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b6\u05ea.<\/p>\n

A short simple recipe for \u05d7\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea:<\/p>\n