Title: Passover
Categories: Info Jewish
Yield: 1 Servings

1

Txt file from Sam Lefkowitz

First, original meaning of Pesach (Passover) is to "leap, skip or gambol". Seder means, "order"(in Hebrew) & Haggadah means "narration".

Three matzos are displayed on Seder table; two represent usual two HALLOTH (plural of hallah) & are not eaten, third is used as part of ceremony & shared between all present. The 3 matzohs also represent three sections of ancient Israeli society - Cohen, Levi (the priesthood) & Israel.

The matzohs used at seder are usually special called SHMURA (meaning kept or guarded). The water is kept covered overnight (an ancient belief that sun went underground after sundown & heated the well water). The ceremonial third matzoh is divided into two & the first is shared among eaters, second (the AFikoman) is left for the end of meal & signals end of seder.

The herbs on Seder table (your question) are KARPAS (celery) and MAROR (bitters/horseradish). These herbs along w/a tart sauce clears the palate & tingles tastebuds very much a bitter herbal appertif. The bitter herbs symbolise bitterness of Hebrew's life under the Egyptian yoke.

The herbs are dipped into SALT WATER or lemon juice (sometimes vinegar) and HAROSET. The salt water represents salty tears of Hebrews in Egypt & HAROSET comes from Hebrew word for clay (CHRES) and symbolises clay that Hebrews used in Egypt. The HAROSEt is a thickish sauce made from various kinds of fruit, mashed w/the addition of honey & sometimes wine. Spices are used are mainly cinnamon & cloves, but also cardamom. There are no set rules aboout which fruit is used but tradition is to use fruit associated w/the Land of Israel; dates, figs, raisins & pomegranates.

The ceremonial roast dishes on Seder plate representing the abolished Pascal sacrifice are a SHANK BONE OF LAMB (sometimes a chicken wing is used) & a roasted EGG. The shank symbolises strong hand of the Lord who delivered Jews from Egypt. The egg is usually boiled and then roasted on a naked flame & is supossed to represent extra sacrifices that was offered in temple on a holiday, thus symbolising mourning for destruction of temple. This egg is not eaten although there are others that are eaten.

Mama Rose says you can substitute some lettuce for celery (KARPAS).

According to Lubavitcher Seder guide plate consists of: 1. Z'ROAH' - Roasted chicken neck 2. 'BAYTZAH' ~the hard boiled egg 3. MORROR - Bitter herbs (peel & grate raw horseradish and/or leaves of endive 4. CHAROSET - The mixtureof chopped apples, pears & walnuts & a small of red wine. 5. KARPAS - The cooked potato or raw onion 6. 'CHAHZERET' _More bitter herbs

That's probably more than you wanted to know but heck, it's free. MM by Deidre Ganopole

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