Armenian CeramicPassover Seder Plate
31 cm
Pessach plate for decoration and serving on the Passover Table.
ThePassovermeal, known as aSeder, is all about remembering Jewish history. Much of the food is deeply symbolic.Matzo- Matza represents the unleavened bread the Jews ate while fleeing Egypt, for example, and horseradish is a symbol for the bitterness of slavery.
Each of the six items arranged on the plate has special significance to the retelling of the story ofPassover—the exodusfromEgypt—which is the focus of this ritual meal. A seventh symbolic item used during the meal—the threematzos—is not considered part of the seder plate proper.
Symbolic foods
1.Zeroa(shankbone)
2.Beitza(roasted hard-boiled egg)
3.Maror/Chazeret(horseradish)
4.Maror/Chazeret(onion)
5.Charoset
6.Karpas(parsley)
Karpascan be any vegetable for which the blessing over fruit of the earth is recited. Parsley or another green leafy vegetable is traditionally used. Jews of Eastern European descent sometimes use potatoes as it was the closest to a green vegetable that was often available during Passover.
Formaror,bitter herbs, use horseradish root or a bitter lettuce. Put enough on thesederplate for everyone as themarorwill be eaten during theseder.
Thezro'a,shank bone, is a reminder of the Passover sacrifice. According to theTalmud vegetarians may substitute a raw beet, which also bleeds when cut. Thezro'ais not eaten at theseder.
Thebeitzahis a roasted hard-boiled egg. It is included on thesederplate in remembrance of the holiday sacrifice offered at the Temple. It can also be seen as a symbol of creation and the cycle of life and death, as eggs are eaten by mourners after a funeral. Thebeitzahon thesederplate is not eaten or used during theseder.
Thecharosetis a mixture of wine, fruits, nuts, honey and spices that symbolizes the mortar with which the Israelites made bricks during slavery. Askenazicharosetis usually made of apples, nuts, sweet wine, honey or sugar and cinnamon.Sephardiccharosetrecipes contain dates, figs, apricots almonds and less or no wine. Make plenty ofcharoset, as it is always a favorite.
The sixth optional item on the seder plate ischazeret,a second bitter herb, which is added to the Hillel sandwich. You can use romaine lettuce or prepared horseradish forchazeret.
