“Seder” means “Order”

The Passover Seder, a celebration of freedom and redemption. The Haggadah (“the telling”) guides us through the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, as commanded in Exodus 13:8: “You shall tell your child on that day…”

Order of the Seder

1. Kadesh (Sanctification)

• Light the candles: “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who sanctifies us with commandments and commands us to kindle the festival lights.”

   

• Recite Kiddush over the first cup of wine: “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.”

1st Cup:

• Drink the first cup reclining, symbolizing freedom.

“I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians” (Exodus 6:6-7)

2. Urchatz (Washing Hands)

3. Karpas (Green Vegetable)

• Dip parsley (or another green) in saltwater, symbolizing spring and tears of slavery.
• Eat the karpas.

4. Yachatz (Breaking the Middle Matzah)

• Break the middle matzah from the Seder plate. Hide the larger half (afikoman) for later.

   

• Display the broken matzah and say: “This is the bread of affliction our ancestors ate in Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat.”

5. Maggid (Telling the Story)

• Pour the second cup of wine. (don’t drink it yet)
• Youngest person asks the Four Questions:
• Why is this night different?
• Why do we eat matzah?
• Why do we eat bitter herbs?
• Why do we dip twice?

• Answer with the Exodus story: “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and Adonai brought us out with a mighty hand.”

• Discuss the Ten Plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Beasts, Cattle Disease, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, Death of the Firstborn. Spill a drop of wine for each to diminish joy at others’ suffering.

• Sing “Dayenu” (It Would Have Been Enough): Gratitude for each of God’s miracles.

• Explain the Seder plate: shank bone (sacrifice), bitter herbs (slavery), charoset (mortar), karpas (hope).

• Recite: “In every generation, one must see themselves as if they left Egypt.”

Drink the second cup. 

7. Motzi Matzah (Blessing over Matzah)

• Hold the matzot and say: “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”
• Add: “…who sanctifies us with commandments and commands us to eat matzah.”
• Eat a piece of matzah.

8. Maror (Bitter Herbs)

• Eat, recalling the bitterness of slavery.

9. Korech (Hillel Sandwich)

• Combine matzah, bitter herbs, and charoset.
• Eat the “Hillel” sandwich.

10. Drink the third cup as we eat the meal.

Eat The Meal
The whole lamb

11. Tzafun (Afikoman)

• The hidden afikoman is returned or redeemed. Eat a small piece as the final taste.

The word “afikomen” comes from the Greek epikomen, meaning “that which comes after” or “dessert.” In the Seder, it represents the Paschal lamb, a sacrificial offering eaten at the end of the meal in ancient times when the Temple stood in Jerusalem.

The Hebrew word “tzafun” translates to “hidden,” which ties directly to the tradition of concealing the afikoman.

13. Hallel (Songs of Praise)

• Pour the fourth cup and a cup for Elijah.
• Open the door for Elijah, looking for Elijah to come prepare the way for Messiah’s return, turning the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to the children.
• Drink the fourth cup.

14. Nirtzah (Conclusion)

• Conclude: “The Seder is complete. May we celebrate next year in Jerusalem!”
• Sing together.