The word Seder means "order or procedure" i.e. the order of events by which the night of Passover is celebrated.

As a Jewish ritual feast it is held on the first and the second nights of the Jewish holiday of Passover (which begins on the 15th day of Hebrew month of Nisan). For Reform Jews and in Israel, the Seder is held only on the first night.

Most of the preparation for the Seder should be completed before the onset of Shabbat/Yom Tov. You may lay the table on Shabbat but it is preferable if this is done before. The table should be beautifully laid out with ones best "pesachdika" crockery, silverware and other beautiful vessels and utensils, in honour of the Festival.

The text of the Pesach Seder is written in a book called the Haggadah (huh-GAH-duh) (plural: Haggadot). The Haggadah tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt and explains some of the practices and symbols of the holiday.

The haggadah was written as a teaching tool, to allow people at all levels to learn the significance of Pesach and its symbols. Each participant receives a copy of the Haggadah, which is often a traditional version: an ancient text that contains the complete Seder service.

There is an obligation to drink four cups of wine during the Seder. The Mishnah says (Pes. 10:1) that even the poorest man in Israel has an obligation to drink. Each cup is connected to a different part of the Seder. The first is for Kiddush, the second is for 'Magid' , the third is for Bareich - Grace after meals (Birkat Hamazon) and the fourth is for Hallel.

The Four Cups represent the four expressions of deliverance promised by God Exodus 6:6-7: "I will bring out," "I will deliver," "I will redeem," and "I will take." Source: Wikipedia.

All kinds of kosher wine are acceptable for the four cups. It is preferable to use red wine (sweet, semi-dry or dry).

Kosher sparkling wine is also acceptable for the four cups. Kosher grape juice for either mixing with wine or drinking for those who are unable to drink wine is also acceptable. (All wines and grape juice for Passover must have a reliable Hechsher).

It is a custom to fill a special goblet of wine for the prophet from which no one drinks - it is left for the prophet of hope and faith, and the door to the home is opened during the ceremony in order to welcome him.

See: Page 5. BAREICH or Barekh - Grace after meals

The Miriam cup (Kos Miriam) is a new addition (ritual object) to the seder table.

This cup is placed on the seder table beside the Elijah cup and is filled with water. it serves as a symbol of Miriam's well which was the source of water for the Israelites in the desert. The Miriam's Cup (Kos Miriam) is actually a new ritual object that originated in a Boston Rosh Chodesh group in the late 1980’s. The idea of using Kos Miriam at the Passover Seder was a natural progression because of Miriam’s central role in the Exodus story.

During Passover and, of course, during the Seder meal, it is a mitzvah to eat matzot (Matzah) (lechem oni - the bread of affliction).

Matzah must be eaten three times during the Seder. After reciting the Motzi (hamotzi) and the special blessing on the Matzah. The second time is, is the Matzah used for Koreich - Hillel sandwich of Matzah and Marror. The third time one is to eat Matzah is the Afikoman.

The top Matzah represents the COHAIN (the priestly class), the middle Matzah represents the LEVITE and the third represents the ISRAELITE.

One should purchase enough Matzah not only for the Sedarim but for the whole festival. Ensure that you have enough SHMURAH Matzah, either handmade or machine for the Sedarim. Some people have the custom of eating Shmurah Matzah the entire Festival of Passover.

Romain lettuce, raw horseradish, endives, etc.

Symbolise the bitterness and harshness of the slavery which the Jews endured in Ancient Egypt

A roasted egg, symbolizing the korban chagigah (festival sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem and was then eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. It is a symbol of mourning for the loss of the two Temples and traditionally became the food of mourners.

A roasted shank bone, symbolizing the korban Pesach (Pesach sacrifice), which was a lamb offered in the Temple in Jerusalem and was then roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night.

Many people use the neck of a chicken which should be well roasted.

Parsley, potato, onion, celery, radish, etc.

A vegetable other than bitter herbs, which is dipped into salt water at the beginning of the Seder. Symbolizes the pain felt by the Jewish slaves in Egypt, who could only eat simple foods.

This is a mixture of ground fruit, spices, wine, and nuts.

Represent the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build the storehouses of Egypt.

It is used for the first "dipping" of the Seder, is not traditionally part of the Seder Plate, but is placed on the table beside it. However, it sometimes is used as one of the six items.

A Seder Plate, Kiddush cups for all the members of the family, Haggadot for all the members of the family. Cushions for reclining.

Each of the items arranged on the plate has special significance to the retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt, which is the focus of this ritual meal.

There are two opinions as to the order of placing the symbols on top of the Seder Plate. The first is according to the ARI"ZAL

ARI"ZAL or Arizal created by Rabbi Isaac Ben Solomon Luria (1534-1572)

The Seder Plate is placed before the head of the household (the one who conducts the Seder), three Matzot are placed in the three compartments of the Seder Plate.

We now place the symbols on top of the Seder Plate. Top right we place the Shank Bone which represents the Passover Sacrifice. Opposite top left we place the hard Boiled egg which represents the usual Festival sacrifice. In the middle just beneath the two top symbols we place the Marror (bitter herbs) which can be a combination of the various species of bitter herbs. To the right just beneath the bitter herbs we put the Charoset.

Opposite left we place the Karpas (vegetable). (Chazeret) - In the middle at the bottom we place again bitter herbs (a combination of the various species of bitter herbs can be used). This is to be used for the Koreich in the Hillel Sandwhich.

The second opinion is according to the RAMA"H or Rema created by Rabbi Moses Ben Israel Isserlis (1525-1572)

The Seder Plate is placed before the head of the household (the one who conducts the Seder).

We now place the symbols on top of the Seder Plate. Top right we place the Shank Bone which represents the Passover Sacrifice. Opposite top left we place the hard Boiled egg which represents the usual festival sacrifice. Beneath the Shank Bone we place the Marror (bitter herbs) which can have a combination of various species of bitter herbs. Underneath the hard Boiled egg we place the Charoset. In the middle beneath the Marror and Charoset we place the three Matzot. At the bottom, on the right we place the Karpas. On the bottom, left we place the salt water.

Beitza - Hardboiled egg

Zroa (z'roa) - Roasted Shankbone

Karpas - Parsley, onion or potato is dipped in saltwater

Charoset - Apple, nuts, spices and wine

Maror - Bitter herbs. Horseradish

Chazeret - Lettuce (romaine lettuce)

           

In addition, there are the three matzahs that are placed on the Seder table. Placing the three matzot (matzahs) on a separate plate is the prevailing authoritative rabbinical opinion but there are some rabbinical authorities who stipulate that there should be no separate plate with matzot (matzahs) on it, instead, the three matzot (matzahs) should be placed on the Seder plate along with the 5 or 6 symbolic foods of Passover or Pesach (5 or 6 symbolic foods depending on whether or not Chazeret is included on the Seder plate).