How to Prepare Your Table for the Passover Seder

Passover begins in March or April, on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Most Jews celebrate Passover for eight days. Passover commemorates the exodus of the Hebrews and their safe flight across the Red Sea of Exodus. It is called Passover because G-d passed over the Hebrews houses when he killed the first-born. The word Passover also refers to the passing over of the Israelites from slavery to freedom. This article will show you how to prepare your Seder table. Please note that you will set your table with dishes and utensils as you normally would.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Various foods
• Haggadah
• Seder Plate
• Creativity

1. 
    

   Prepare your Seder plate with the following: ~~Celery / potato (Karpas)--- dipped in SALT WATER to represent the tears shed during slavery. ~~Lettuce (Chazeret) --- BITTER VEGETABLE. ~~Horseradish (Marror)--- BITTER HERBS, symbolizes the bitterness of Egyptian slavery. ~~Charoset --- SWEET because sweetness symbolizes G-d's kindness. ~~Roasted chicken wing (Zero'ah)--- symbolizes the PASCHAL LAMB sacrificed in Biblical times. ~~Hard boiled egg (Beitzah) --- symbolizes mourning the loss of the TEMPLE.

2. 
    
   Matzah

   For your table, near the leader:
   ~~Matzah cover with 3 matzot. ~~Plate of extra matzot. ~~Bottles of grape juice. ~~Bottles of wine. ~~Cup for Elijah --- ~~A cup of wine is left out for Elijah the prophet. ~~Small bowl of saltwater.

3. 
    

   At each place setting:
   ~~Kiddush cup. ~~Pillow for reclining. ~~Haggadah --- Used for the seder and also tells the story of Passover.

4. 
    

   Props to re-create the Ten Plagues as listed: Blood - Frogs - Gnat - Flies - Disease in Livestock - Boils - Hail -Locusts - Darkness - Death of Firstborn. ~~~~~ Be creative! Remember to keep young children interested and involved in the seder!

5. 
    

   Afikomen prizes:
   At the beginning of the Seder, the middle of the three pieces of matzah is broken. The largest piece, called the afikomen, is hidden. During the seder, the children try to find the afikomen. The seder can only end when the afikomen is eaten! You can choose anything for your REWARD! As children, we were given coins.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative!
• Make sure all items are kosher for Passover!

[sylvano]

on 4/21/2008 I am jewish, Your article reminded me of all the wonderfull saida's i was invited to, and the saida's i made, especially the 12 egg sponge cakes i made for passover

[amylaine]

on 4/19/2008 interesting

[ursaminor]

on 4/18/2008 I'm not Jewish, but I have friends who are, and one of my fondest memories is from the time they invited me to their Seder. Such a beautiful, symbolic meal. Everyone should experience it at least once. Thanks for a lovely reminder. 5 stars. You rock!