Passover is celebrated in the spring. It’s a holiday where the Jews celebrate the exodus of the Jewish People from Egypt. The holiday is all about “reliving” the journey. On the first and second night a big dinner takes place, called the seder. Throughout the seder, we eat different foods that symbolize aspects of the exodus, these items are displayed on a seder plate, which serves as the table’s centerpeice. When the Jews left Egypt they wanted to bring bread with, however in the rush to leave there was not enough time to let it rise, as a result we eat a flat unrisen bread, called Matzah. Passover last for 8 days, thus there are many meals and many opportunities to buy those special Passover gifts for a host!
ROASTED BONE
Zeroah
Symbolizes the festival offering brought in the days of the Holy Temple.
EGG
Beitzah
This also symbolizes the festival offering brought in the days of the Holy Temple.
BITTER HERBS
Maror
Usually horseradish, this symbolizes the bitterness of the Jewish slavery in Egypt, and personal enslavements of today.
FRUIT & NUT PASTE
Charoset
Represents the mortar used by Hebrew slaves to make bricks for the Pharaoh.
VEGETABLE
Karpas
Usually parsley, this can symbolize spring & nobility, or alternately a play on the Hebrew word for “backbreaking work” - another reference to enslavement.
BITTER HERBS
Chazeret
Usually romaine lettuce, this symbolizes the bitterness of Jewish enslavement.