Seder Plate

Seder Plate

Seder is the Hebrew word for order and the term is associated with the festival of Passover. Passover is a spring festival held in March/April. It proclaims God's connection with the Exodus from Egypt and the important place given to freedom in Jewish thought. The festival begins with a special symbolic meal at home, the Seder, during which the story of God's redemption or deliverance of his people is recalled.

The Seder meal is an occasion for families to come together to celebrate. The table is lit with candles. On the table is special food, each item of which reminds the people of some detail about their slavery in Egypt. Some of the items are placed on the special Seder plate:

• a shank bone of mutton - the lamb which according to tradition was sacrificed by each family before they left Egypt
• bitter herbs - the bitterness of slavery in Egypt (often two types, one of which is usually horse radish)
• a paste made from crushed fruit, nuts and spices - the mortar used for making bricks in Egypt
• green herbs/parsley - the freshness of Spring and the joy as the Hebrews marched out of Egypt towards the promised land
• a roast egg - a reminder of the sacrifice which used to be offered in the Temple in Jerusalem on certain special occasions, one of which was Passover

Other items, not included on the plate are:

• unleavened bread - the hurried escape from Egypt
• salt water - the tears of the slaves in Egypt
• four glasses of wine - the four promises that God made to Moses