Page 53 - cRc Pesach Guide 2021

THE SEDER

Pesach, through the Seder, is an active demonstration of both d. Chazeres
our spiritual and physical redemption from Egypt; the foods e. Karpas
we eat, prayers we say, and the stories we tell bring this f. (in the middle of the plate) Marror
experience to life. Our guide is the Haggadah — a book filled Sephardim don’t use horseradish, as it has a sharp
with Scripture, Rabbinic teachings, songs, prayers and rituals taste and not a bitter one. The Sephardic custom is
— a work unique to the holiday of Pesach. to use the fresh leaves or stalks of romaine lettuce

For those who have medical or health conditions requiring or endives, but not the root.
changes or restrictions regarding Seder foods and drink, 2) Bowl of salt water for dipping the karpas
please see Dietary Needs at the Seder, pages 54-59.
Some in the Sephardic community dip the karpas into
vinegar instead of salt water.
BEFORE THE SEDER 3) Three whole matzos shmura should be placed under or
The Seder table should be set before nightfall with the in front of the Seder plate. They should be covered and
following items: separated from each other by a napkin or cloth.
1) Seder Plate – For details about the Seder plate, see NOTE: Matzos shmura are matzos that were made
previous page. In short, the Seder plate should contain specifically for the sake of the mitzvah of matzah and
- starting from top left (NE) going clockwise – the from wheat that was protected from moisture from the
following: time of its harvest. They are the matzos that one should
a. Beitza use for the obligations of the Seder.
b. Zro’a Most Sephardim permit matza ashira, which is made
NOTE: One should be careful not to say that “this from fruit juice or eggs on Pesach, although not for the
is for Pesach” lest it appear that the meat is being mitzvah of lechem oni (motzi-matza). Please check with
sanctified for the korban Pesach, which we cannot your Rabbi to determine the appropriate use of these
do today in the absence of the Beis Hamikdash (Holy products on Pesach.
Temple). 4) Seats should be equipped with cushions, so that the
c. Charoses participants can lean on their left sides while eating and
Many in the Sephardic community add to the reciting the Haggadah (except for eating of the marror)
charoses fruits to which our People are compared, to imitate freemen and nobility.
such as raisins, pomegranates, cinnamon, ginger
and other sweet ingredients.

cRc Pesach Guide Preparation For Pesach www.ASKcRc.org / www.cRcweb.org 51