Passover Seder
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The Seder (pronounced 'say-der', meaning "order" in Hebrew, referring to the many sections which follow a specific sequence) is a special Jewish ceremonial dinner revolving around the story of Exodus. The Seder is held on the first evening of Passover in Israel and the first and second evenings outside Israel. The Seder relives the Biblical exodus of the formerly enslaved Children of Israel from Ancient Egypt. Jewish families take turns reading from the Haggadah during the Seder, which tells the story of the Exodus. It also includes rabbinical commentary on various Passover customs mainly from the era of the Mishnah.
The participants in the Seder are seated comfortably, usually leaning, to the left to ease swallowing, on pillows. This is to symbolize the freedom of the Jewish people compared to their past enslavement. The Haggadah is read from throughout the Seder, and portions of it prompt certain actions.
The Seder (order) of the Seder
Hadlakat ha-Nerot
Before the Seder begins, the Yom Tov (festival) candles are lit to signify the beginning of Passover. A bracha (blessing to God) is recited over the candles.
Kadeish (blessings and the first cup of wine)
Throughout a Passover Seder, each participant drinks four cups of wine. It is common for children to substitute grape juice for wine. The Kiddush bracha is recited.
Ur'chatz (wash hands)
In traditional Jewish homes, it is common to ritually wash the hands before a meal. No bracha is recited at this point of the Seder (according to most authorities), unlike before bread at rochtza. Some customs hold that only the head of the household washes their hands at this point.
Karpas (appetizer)
Jews dip a green vegetable in vinegar or salt water (older custom: charoset) as a reminder of the tears of their enslaved ancestors.
'Yachatz (break the middle matzah)
The matzah, a flat, crispy, unleavened bread, is silently introduced in a stack of three, covered by a cloth. The middle matzah is broken in two. Half will be hidden later, as the afikomen, the dessert of the meal.
Ha Lachma Anya (invitation to the poor)
The matzot (plural of matzah) are uncovered, and referred to as the "bread of affliction". Jews assume the role of their enslaved ancestors, and acknowledge their enslavement, but express hope to be free. They also express an invitation to all who are hungry or needy to join in the Seder.
Maggid (The telling)
The story of Passover, and the change from slavery to freedom, are told in four different ways.
The first telling
The first telling begins with the youngest child's recitation of the four questions, which are then answered by the Haggadah.
The Four Questions
Ashkenazi version:
Mah nishtanah ha-lahylah ha-zeh mi-kol ha-layloht, mi-kol ha-layloht
How different is this night from all other nights!
- She-b'khol ha-layloht anu okhlin chameytz u-matzah, chameytz u-matzah. Ha-lahylah ha-zeh, ha-lahylah ha-zeh, kooloh matzah?
Why is it that on all other nights during the year we eat either bread or matzoh, but on this night we eat only matzoh? - She-b'khol ha-layloht anu okhlin sh'ar y'rakot, sh'ar y'rakot. Ha-lahylah ha-zeh, ha-lahylah ha-zeh, maror?
Why is it that on all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, but on this night we eat bitter herbs? - She-b'khol ha-layloht ayn anu mat'bilin afilu pa'am echat, afilu pa'am echat. Ha-lahylah ha-zeh, ha-lahylah ha-zeh, sh'tay p'amim?
Why is it that on all other nights we do not dip our herbs even once, but on this night we dip them twice? - She-b'khol ha-layloht anu okhlin bayn yosh'bin u'vayn m'soobin, bayn yosh'bin u'vayn m'soobin. Ha-lahylah ha-zeh, ha-lahylah ha-zeh, koolanu m'soobin?
Why is it that on all other nights we sit straight or leaning, but on this night we are all seated leaning?
The second telling
The second telling begins with the questions asked by the "four sons". They each phrase the question "What is the meaning of this service?" in different ways. The four sons are characterized as being wise, being simple, being evil, or being too young to ask. The Haggadah says that the wise son, who inquires at length of the service, should be answered with the complete set of customs of the service. The wicked son, who asks his father "What is this cult of yours?", isolates himself from the Jewish people. Therefore, he is rebuked by the explanation that "It is because God acted for my sake when I left Egypt." The one who is too young to ask is told "It is because of what the Almighty did for me when I left Egypt." The simple son, who asks "What is this?" is answered with "With a strong hand the Almighty led us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage."
The third telling
The third telling consists of the story of Exodus, from four verses in Deuteronomy. The Haggadah explores the meaning of those verses, and embellishes the story. This telling refers to the life of Moses, and his demand that Pharaoh free the Jewish slaves. According to the Bible, when the Egyptian Pharaoh refused, God caused ten plagues to occur in Egypt. The ten plagues were:
- All of the water was changed to blood
- An infestation of frogs sprang up in Egypt
- The Egyptians were afflicted by gnats
- An infestation of wild animals (some say flies) sprang up in Egypt
- Egyptian cattle died
- An epidemic of boils affected the Egyptians
- Hail rained from the sky
- Locusts swarmed over Egypt
- Egypt was covered in darkness
- The first-born children of the Egyptians were slain by God
Throughout the plagues, Pharaoh promises to free the Jewish slaves, but refuses when the plague subsides. The Jewish slaves were not affected by any of the plagues. After the last plague, Pharaoh ordered the Jewish slaves to leave Egypt, to end the plague. However, the Egyptians soon chased after the Jewish slaves on horseback and nearly caught up with them, when the Jews were stranded at the Red Sea. At that point, Moses was commanded by God to lift up his staff, and the waters parted. The slaves safely passed through the sea, and the pursuing Egyptian army was drowned.
At this part in the Seder, songs of praise are sung, including the song Dayeinu, which proclaims that if God had performed any single deed of many deeds performed for the Jewish people, it would have been enough.
The fourth telling
The fourth telling refers to questions about the customs of the Seder, and their answers. The Seder suggests that each Jew should feel as if he or she had just been themselves liberated from slavery.
Kos Sheini (The second cup of wine)
At this point, after having told the story of the Exodus four times, participants in the Seder celebrate their redemption with the second cup of wine.
Rochtza (ritual washing of hands)
The ritual hand washing is repeated, this time with the traditional blessing before breaking bread.
Motzi Matzah (blessings for the matzah)
God is praised for bringing forth bread from the Earth, and then he is praised for the mitzvah of matzah, which is now referred to as the bread of freedom.
Maror (bitter herb)
Bitter herbs, referred to as maror are eaten as a symbol of former slavery.
Koreich (sandwich)
The matzah and maror are combined, similar to a sandwich, and eaten. This follows the tradition of Rabbi Hillel, who did the same at his Seder 2000 years ago.
Shulchan Orech (set the table)
A_Seder_table_setting.jpg
The festive meal is eaten, mnay eat .
Tzafun (hidden matzah is eaten)
The afikomen, which was hidden earlier in the Seder, is the last morsel of food eaten by participants in the Seder. In some homes, after an adult hides it, children search the house, trying to locate it. They are rewarded by money or a small gift after they locate it, since the Seder cannot be completed without the afikomen. Other families have a tradition where the children hide the afikomen and demand a ransom for it.
Bareich (grace at the end of the meal)
God is praised for providing the food, the Promised Land (Israel), Passover, Jerusalem, and all that is good in one's life. See Grace After Meals
Kos Shli'shee (the third cup of wine)
The meal concludes with a third cup of wine.
Kos shel Eliahu ha-Navi (cup of Elijah the prophet)
In Ashkenazi tradition, the song Eliahu ha-Navi may be sung to "welcome" the prophet Elijah to the table, whose coming would signify the coming of the Jewish Messiah.
Traditional lyrics:
Eliahu ha-Navi, Eliahu ha-Tishbi
Eliahu, Eliahu, Eliahu ha-Giladi
Bimhera biyamenu, Yavo aylenu Im Mashiach ben David, Im Mashiach ben David
Translation:
Elijah the prophet, Elijah the Tishbite
Elijha, Elijah, Elijah from Gilad
Quickly in our days, may he come to us With the Messiah, son of David; Messiah, son of David
Hallel (songs of praise)
Various psalms of praise for God are sung for redeeming the Jewish people.
Ruach (spirit)
The mood turns more festive with songs to celebrate freedom.
Kos R'vi'i Nirtzah (the fourth cup of wine and acceptance)
The Seder is concluded with the final cup of wine, and a prayer that the Seder be accepted. The hope for the Messiah is expressed: "Next year in Jerusalem!"
See also
External link
- Passover Seder (http://www.happypassover.net/passover-customs/passover-seder.html)
- Passover Seder (http://www.judaica-guide.com/passover.htm) on Judaica Guide
- Meta-questions for Discussion at the Passover Seder (http://www.adath-shalom.ca/seder_qu.htm).