Passover Information

In a printable format.

The Seder Plate and Its Symbols

Top right a roasted shankbone of lamb (Z'roah)
Top left a roasted egg (Baytzah)
Center bitter herbs, such as green top of a horseradish (Maror)
Bottom right Charoset
Bottom left herbs such as parsley, celery etc. (Carpas)
Bottom center grated horseradish (Chahzeres)


The Shankbone symbolizes the paschal offering. The Roasted Egg symbolizes the festival sacrifice brought in Temple days. The Bitter Herbs symbolize the bitterness of the experience by the Israelites as slaves. The Charoses is symbolic of the mortar and bricks the Israelites were compelled to make. The Carpas is symbolic of the spring of the season. The Horseradish is similar to the bitter herbs and is used as maror in the "sandwich" later in the Seder. Remember: The hotter the better, it is supposed to bring tears to your eyes.

You will also need: The three Matzos are symbolic of the three types of Jews: Kohen, Levi, and Yisroel. They also commemorate the three measures of fine flour which Abraham told Sarah to bake into Matzot when the three angels visited them. And when we later break the middle Matzah, we are still left with two whole loaves for lechem mishne, as on all Sabbaths and Festivals. 1 Matzah cover One explanation of the four cups of wine is that there are four expressions of 'freedom' or 'deliverance' mentioned in the Torah in connection with our liberation from Egypt (Ex. 6: 6, 7). 1 cup is for Elijah, because of his role as the champion of righteousness, Elijah is the hero of many legends. It was thought that he would appear as the messenger bearing word of the coming of the Moshiach (Messiah). Haggadah means "telling." The Haggadah contains the story of Pesach, read during the Seder, in fulfillment of the Biblical command: "And thou shalt tell thy son on that day, saying: it is because of that which HASHEM did for me when I came forth out of Mitzryem (Egypt)." We recline during most of the 'acts' of Seder to accentuate that we are free people. In ancient times, only free people were allowed to recline while eating.
Chometz Guidelines for Medicine
Since chametz binders are used in many pills, the following guidelines should be followed: if medicine is required for life sustaining therapy, some authorities permit, while others prohibit. Consult the Rabbi. In all cases, capsules are preferable.
Use of Legumes on Passover
Some Ashkenaz authorities permit, while others forbid the use of legumes in a form other than its natural states, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, soy oil, peanut oil. Sephardic authorities permit the use of all of the above. Consult the Rabbi for guidance in the use of these products.

*A Glossary of Passover Terms*

PESACH - means "Passover". The holiday got its name from the "Passing over" of the Jewish homes by the Angel of Death when the Tenth Plague smote the first born sons of Egypt. The sparing of the first born or "bechor" is also the reason for taanit bechorim.

TAANIS BECHORIM - "The fast of the first born son" - In commemoration of the saving of the Jewish first born, the first born sons in Jewish families fast on the day preceding Passover. Jewish practice, however, provides that following the morning Service, every synagogue has a Siyum.

SIYUM - "conclusion of the tractate of the Talmud" - an occasion for rejoicing and for partaking of a "Seudah Shel Mitzvah", a feast in which Jews are obliged to participate. The "Bechor" therefore breaks his fast at this prearranged Siyum.

MAOS HITTIM ("Money for Wheat") - Before Passover we are all obliged to contribute money to a fund which will enable the poor to obtain Passover necessities. This action serves to accentuate the feeling of a community responsibility among the Jews in our country and also emphasizes the primary importance of Passover preparation in every Jewish home.

CHOMETZ (Leaven) - Any product which contains derivatives of the five different type grains that have fermented (soured) are forbidden on Passover. The grains are barley, wheat, oats, rye and millet. Rice, peas and beans are also forbidden on Passover. Foods which require a reliable "Kosher L' Pesach" label are candies, milk, butter, cheese, soda water and soft drinks. Coffee, sugar, tea, salt, and pepper which come in containers are permissible provided they do not come in contact with hametz. All canned or processed -foods are prohibited because they may have come in contact indirectly with utensils that have been used for leaven. Canned or processed foods that have a reliable Kosher L' Pesach label are permitted. You will find that you will have many questions concerning the laws of hametz on Passover. Do not hesitate to ask the Rabbi of your community any questions you may have.

BEDIKAS CHOMETZ - The search for leaven, conducted on the night before the seder (for details on how this may be done, see your Rabbi or consult the Haggadah). When the hametz is gathered together, a prayer is recited declaring all undiscovered hametz to be null and void, and no longer in the owner's domain. The latest one may eat chometz is 9:00 A.M. on the morning preceding the Seder night. The time for burning the hametz is 10:00 A.M. One may not eat hametz throughout the holiday, till the conclusion of the festival after the eighth day, when the stars appear. Bedikas Chometz kits may be purchased at your local Jewish bookstores.

MECHIRAS CHOMETZ (Selling the hametz) - Leavened material which is of value and which we do not wish to burn, must be hidden from sight, and arrangement for its official sale (though not the actual transfer) to a non-Jew should be made through the rabbi.

SHALOSH REGALIM - "The three Pilgrimage Holidays" Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot - on these three joyous holidays, Jews journeyed to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.

SEFIRATH HAOMER - "the counting from the Omer-measure" Jewish tradition teaches that all of man's earthly possessions come to him from God. This teaching we find translated into actual living when the Jew fulfils the miztvot (commandment) to give a part of his wealth to G_d - e.g. sacrifices. "For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee." Thus, on the second day of Passover the Jewish people brought a measure (Omer) of the newly harvested grain to the Temple as an offering. This harvesting of the Omer was cause for great festivities. From this day on, we count seven full weeks - 49 days - the 50th is Shavuot. This counting we call Sefirath Haomer.

SEDER - The word seder means "order" for there is a certain order we follow in the celebration of Passover around the table. Some of the practices are very ancient, dating back to the days of the temple. MATZA - It is from this word that Pesach is called Chag Ha-Matzas, the "Feast of Unleavened Bread". When the Israelites were hurrying out of Egypt they had to snatch up the bread they were baking before it was leavened. Once matzos were baked in the home. But this became very difficult, and during the Middle Ages most Jewish communities had their matza bakeries. To keep the matza from rising while being baked, wooden combs or wheels were run over it.

AFIKOMAN - The afikoman serves as dessert at the end of the meal. It takes the place of the Pesach lamb, which was eaten last at the Seder so that its taste might linger on the palate. It is customary for children to play a game by hiding the afikoman and demanding a prize for its return.

CHAD GADYO - Every Jewish child knows the song which begins: "an only kid, an only kid, which my father bought for two Zuzim" (ancient coins). This folk song, which ends the Seder service, was especially written for children. Though it tells about a little kid and a cat and a dog, some say that it is really the story of the Jewish people. The song ends with the hope that one day all tyrants will be destroyed and the word of HASHEM (G_d) will triumph.