made it to the Seder!

Here’s your overview of the mitzvot of the Seder:

The Seven Mitzvot of the Seder

There are two Torah obligations and five rabbinical obligations to perform during the Seder.

Torah Mitzvot :

1. Relating the story of the Exodus (Maggid—reading from the Haggadah).

2. Eating matzah.

The Seder Plate

The Seder plate is arranged with symbolic foods that follow the order of the Haggadah. The prepared plate is placed in front of the leader of the Seder, who gives out the various foods to each participant at the relevant times.

What do we put on the Seder plate?

Charoset: a mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon, symbolizing the bricks and mortar of ancient Egypt

Karpas: a vegetable (preferably parsley, radish, potato, or celery)

Maror: bitter herbs (may consist of romaine lettuce, endives, or pure horseradish)

Beitzah: a roasted or boiled egg

Zeroa: a piece of roasted or boiled meat or poultry

Salt water: Place a bowl of salt water for dipping the karpas near the Seder plate.

Matzah

Three whole matzot are placed next to the Seder plate. We are commanded to eat matzah three times during the Seder:

1. At the start of the Seder meal (with a special bracha)

2. For korech (Hillel sandwich) together with the maror

3. For the afikomen (at the end of the meal)

For details on the specific amounts and requirements see “Sizing Up the Seder” on page 16.

Rabbinical Mitzvot :

1. Arbah Kosot: Drinking four cups of wine.

2. Maror: Eating bitter herbs.

3. Hallel: Reciting psalms of praise.

4. Afikoman: Eating an extra piece of matzah for dessert as a reminder of the Pesach offering.

5. Demonstrating acts of freedom like sitting with a pillow and leaning to the left when eating matzah and drinking wine.

Bitter herbs (maror)

Everyone is obligated to eat bitter herbs twice at each Seder:

1. A kezayit of maror, dipped in charoset

2. A second, smaller amount, inside the matzah sandwich (korech)

Maror must be raw and unpreserved. Therefore, commercially prepared grated horseradish, which is packed in vinegar, may not be used for the mitzvah.

Telling the story of the Exodus and singing Hallel

We encourage young children to participate in the Seder to the best of their ability. It is customary for the youngest person at the Seder to ask the Four Questions.

We close the Seder with Hallel, which praises G-d and His special relationship with the people of Israel. The Seder traditionally concludes with singing (and dancing to) several lively songs that celebrate our treasured relationship with G-d.

When Passover ends

All dietary laws and restrictions remain in effect until nightfall of the eighth day of Pesach.

Chametz that was properly sold may only be eaten once the resale is confirmed by your rabbi (agent). Chametz that was in the possession of a Jew during Pesach is forbidden for consumption by any Jew, even after Pesach.