Seder
The
Seder (pronounced 'say-der', meaning 'order' in
Hebrew) is a special
Jewish ceremonial dinner revolving around the story of
Exodus. The Seder is held on the first and second evenings of
Passover. The Seder commemorates the Biblical exodus of the formerly
enslaved Jewish people from
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.
The participants in the Seder are seated comfortably, usually leaning 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
\nBefore 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 (The First Cup of Wine)
\nThroughout a Passover Seder, each participant drinks four cups of wine. The amount is not considered to be important, so a "cup" of wine may be a very small portion, if a person prefers. It is common for children to substitute grape juice for wine. The Kiddush bracha is recited.
Ur'chatz (Wash Hands)
\nIn traditional Jewish homes, it is common to ritually wash the hands before a meal. Usually, a bracha is recited, but the bracha is not recited on Passover.
Karpas (Appetizer)
\nJews dip a green vegetable in salt water as a reminder of the tears of their enslaved ancestors.
Yachataz (Break the middle matzah)
\nThe 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)
\nThe 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)
\nThe story of Passover, and the change from slavery to freedom, are told in four different ways.
The First Telling
\nThe first telling begins with the youngest child's recitation of the four questions, which are then answered by the Haggadah.
The Four Questions
Mah nishtanah ha-lahylah ha-zeh mi-kol ha-layloht, mi-kol ha-layloht
Why is this night different 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?\n#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 only bitter herbs?\n#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?\n#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
\nThe 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, whose 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
\nThe 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\n# An infestation of frogs sprang up in Egypt\n# The Egyptians were afflicted by lice\n# An infestation of wild animals sprang up in Egypt\n# Egyptian cattle died\n# An epidemic of boils affected the Egyptians\n# Hail rained from the sky\n# Locusts swarmed over Egypt\n# Egypt was covered in darkness\n# The first-born children of the Egyptians were slain by an angel of 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
\nThe 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)
\nAt 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
\nThe ritual hand washing is repeated, this time with the traditional blessing before breaking bread.
Motzi/Matzah
\nGod is praised for bringing forth bread from the Earth, and then he is praised for matzah, which is now referred to as the bread of freedom.
Maror
\nBitter herbs, referred to as maror are eaten as a symbol of former slavery.
Koreich
\nThe 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)
\nThe meal is eaten.
Tzafun (dessert)
\nThe 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.
Bareich (Blessing after the food)
\nGod is praised for providing the food, the Promised Land (Israel), Passover,
Jerusalem, and all that is good in ones life.
Kos Shli'shee (The Third Cup of Wine)
\nThe meal concludes with a third cup of wine.
Eliahu ha-Navi (Elijah the prophet)
\nThe song Eliahu ha-Navi is sung to welcome the prophet
Elijah to the table, whose coming would signify the coming of the
Messiah.
Hallel (songs of praise)
\nVarious psalms of praise for God are sung for redeeming the Jewish people.
Ruach (spirit)
\nThe mood turns more festive with songs to celebrate freedom.
Kos R'vi'i/Nirtzah (The fourth cup of wine/acceptance)
\nThe 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!"
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Category:Jewish holy days