How to Hide the Afikomen

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Rate: (4 Ratings)

For most children the afikomen, which means dessert, is the highlight of the Passover seder. In fact, its whole purpose is to keep children awake, alert and attentive throughout the ceremony as they look forward to the game at the end. The fun starts just after the symbolic vegetable, or karpas, has been dipped in saltwater and eaten.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Matzah
Candles
Fresh Parsley
Horseradish Or Romaine Lettuce
Wines
Seder Plates
Wine Glasses

Step1

Notice the three ceremonial matzahs on the table. Break the middle matzah and return half of it to the plate.

Step2

Cast your attention elsewhere while the parents "steal" the other half and hide it.

Step3

Continue with the seder to the end of dinner, or shulchan orech.

Step4

Encourage the children to hunt for the afikomen. Typically, the children earn a reward when they find the elusive stuff.

Step5

Divide the piece of matzah among the participants and eat it.

Tips & Warnings

In some families the children hide the afikomen and the parents search for it. If parents can't find it, they offer a "bribe" to the children to retrieve it.
During the Middle Ages the afikomen was considered a good luck charm, though no one seems certain how it assumed these mystical properties. Some Jews took chunks of afikomen with them on sea voyages to ward off storms; others hung pieces of it in their homes to fend off demons.
In 2000, Passover begins at sundown on April 19.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Place the afikomen in plain view on the table. Then hide the children. It makes for a quieter evening.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 We divide the guests into two teams, and we analyze their Judaic backgrounds and their ages. A quiz is given at dessert time. It is based on what has been taught by the leader during the retelling of the Exodus (Maggid). A prize is given to the winning team members. A typical prize would be movie admission tickets.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 kids, if you findd it, dont just give it up for the asking price, since they cant finish the seder without it, they will offer you a bigger reward, dont hold on too long or people will get mad

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 my uncle is the ne in charge of hiding the afikomen and for 13 years i have tryed to see when he does it, and to this day i still do not know when he leaves. the best place he ever hid it was when he staplled an envelope under the table before the seder. then, when he was supposed to be hiding it, he just slid it in the envelope. if you are supposed to hide the afikomen this year, try this, the kids wlill be looking for ever.

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