{ "clip_details": { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "the-seder-table-and-its-symbols", "title": "The Seder Table and Its Symbols", "author": "Ann Wright", "author_handle": "ann-wright", "author_initials": "AW", "covertext": "Matzoh (Unleavened Bread). These three matzot covered by a cloth are the bread of haste, made during the departure from...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "<ol>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Matzoh </b></i><b>(Unleavened Bread).</b> These three <i>matzot</i> covered by a cloth are the bread of haste, made during the departure from Egypt. Having no time to let the bread rise, the people baked it on their backs as they walked. The three <i>matzot</i> represent the three groups of Jews who lived in ancient Israel during the days of the Temple: the <i>Kohanim </i>(the high priests), the <i>Levites</i> (those who served the high priests), and the <i>Israelites </i>(all others). All Jewish people are descendents of one of these groups.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><b>A Seder plate.</b> This usually has circular indentations into which the most important Passover seder food/symbols are placed. These symbols are pointed to from time to time in the course of the Seder, and they are not to be consumed. The symbolic foods are as follows:</p>\n\t</li>\n</ol>\n\n<ul>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Moror</b></i><b> (Bitter Herbs).</b> This symbolizes the bitter lot of the enslaved Israelites.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Karpas</b></i><b> (Vegetable).</b> This represents Springtime renewal and awakening.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Charoset</b></i><b>. </b> This is a mixture that represents the mortar (straw and clay) used in making bricks for the pharaohs. <i>Ashkenazim</i> (Jews from Germany and Eastern Europe) usually use a mixture of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine. <i>Sephardim</i> (descendents of Jews who lived in Spain or Portugal before the expulsion of Jews in 1492) often add dried fruit, such as dates or figs.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Z’roah</b></i><b> (Shankbone of a lamb).</b> This symbolizes the “mighty arm” of God, as the Bible describes it, which influenced the Pharaoh to release the Children of Israel from bondage.</p>\n\t</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><br />\n </p>\n\n<ul>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Baytza</b></i><b> (Egg).</b> The egg is symbolic of the festival sacrifice brought in the days of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 C.E). It is also said to symbolize Springtime fertility.</p>\n\t</li>\n</ul>\n\n<ul>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Salt Water.</b></i><i> </i>Represents the tears of slavery. In the Jerusalem of the first and second centuries, it was common practice to dip a vegetable (which was the <i>hors d’oeuvres</i> that preceeded a meal) in salt water.</p>\n\t</li>\n</ul>\n\n<ol>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Cup of Eliahu (Elijah).</b></i><i> </i>The spirit of this ancient prophet is asked to enter our home and fill us with wisdom and compassion.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p><i><b>Wine Goblet.</b></i> Four cups of wine are consumed during the Seder as a reminder of the promises of the Book of Exodus:</p>\n\t</li>\n</ol>\n\n<ol>\n\t<li>\n\t<p>I will <i>bring</i> you out of Egypt.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p>I will <i>deliver </i>you from bondage.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p>I will <i>redeem</i> you with an outstretched arm.</p>\n\t</li>\n\t<li>\n\t<p>I will <i>take</i> you to Me for a people.</p>\n\t</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>Red wine is commonly used, although there were times in Jewish history (particularly during the Middle Ages) when white wine was substituted in response to accusations leveled against Jews claiming that they used the blood of Christian children at the Seder ceremony.</p>\n\n<ol>\n\t<li>\n\t<p>A <i><b>pillow</b></i> for the leader to recline against. (In some houses, each participant uses a pillow). The custom of eating in a reclining position is of Persian origin. Greek and Roman patricians continued this practice, and Jews, who lived in their midst, adopted it as a meaningful expression of a free and unharried life.</p>\n\t</li>\n</ol>", "cliptype": "image", "clipsource": null, "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/385447/Seder-Table.png", "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/385447/conversions/Seder-Table-cover.jpg", "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Introduction", "slug": "introduction" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 12, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "The Seder Table and Its Symbols | Passover haggadah by Ann Wright", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. 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