How to Host a Passover Seder.
A seder is a ceremonial dinner service usually observed on the first or first and second
nights of the Jewish holiday Passover.
It's also a joyful occasion to gather with friends and family!
You will need Dishes and utensils specifically for Passover Large round matzoh and boxed
matzoh Clean cloth Seder plate Wine glasses Haggadah books Kosher wine Salt
water Bowl Kosher meal A prize, such as candy or a small toy and pitcher and bowl.
Step 1.
Wrap three whole matzos in a cloth, and place them on the table, along with the seder plate.
Step 2.
Set down a filled wine glass at each adult’s place setting.
Also give each person a Haggadah, which contains the Exodus story and the guidelines for the
ritual meal.
Step 3.
When all the guests have arrived, a designated person, usually an elder or one of the hosts,
leads the seder.
While it is customary to complete all the steps of the seder, feel free to spend more
or less time on the steps you find most or least interesting.
Step 4.
Recite the Kiddush blessing over the wine.
In some families, everyone holds their own cup for the blessing.
In others, the Kiddush is said over one large cup, which is then distributed into individual
glasses.
Step 5.
Drink the first cup of wine.
Attendees drink four cups of wine each throughout the seder to symbolize the four redemption
promises found in Exodus: God tells the Jews he will take them out of Egypt, deliver them
from bondage, redeem them with an outstretched arm, and acquire them to be God’s chosen
people.
For children or those who prefer not to drink wine, you may substitute grape juice or another
beverage.
Step 6.
Wash your hands, either away from the table or using a pitcher and bowl passed around
the table.
Step 7.
Dip the karpas, or green vegetable, symbolizing rebirth, into the salt water, representing
the tears of slavery.
Recite the corresponding blessing and eat.
Celery or parsley is often used.
Step 8.
The leader breaks the middle matzo in two and places the smaller half back in the cloth
between the other matzos.
The other half is wrapped and hidden for the afikomen, which children will hunt for later
in the evening.
Fill the second cup of wine.
Step 9.
The youngest person at the seder asks the four questions, which encourage participation
in the ritual.
The questions are all meant to explain why this night is different from other nights.
Engage people, especially children, in discussion.
Step 10.
Recite the Passover story found in the Haggadah.
Drink the second cup of wine and wash hands as before, this time accompanied by the traditional
blessing for washing hands, which can be found in the Haggadah.
Step 11.
Recite the blessing over the remaining matzo on the table.
Each person eats a small piece from the top matzo and broken middle matzo.
If there is not enough matzo from the seder plate to go around, supplement with some from
a box.
Step 12.
Dip the maror, or bitter herb (representing slavery’s bitterness), into the charoset,
the sweet fruit and nut mixture that symbolizes the slave labor Jews performed with bricks
and mortar.
Recite the corresponding blessing and eat.
Then, take pieces from the bottom matzo and make a sandwich with the chazeret, or second
bitter herb, dipped into the charoset.
If the seder plate does not contain any chazeret you may also use the maror to make the sandwich.
Step 13.
Eat dinner.
Typical main dishes include brisket, matzo ball soup, and potato kugel.
Many Passover meals begin with the egg on the seder plate dipped in salt water, a sign
both of mourning for the destruction of the Temple and of new life.
Step 14.
At some point while the adults are eating, the children hunt for the afikomen.
Since the meal cannot finish without eating it, it is traditional for the children to
ransom the afikomen in exchange for a prize, such as candy or a small toy.
Step 15.
Fill your cup with wine.
Say the grace after meals and wine blessing as found in the Haggadah, and drink the third
cup of wine.
Step 16.
Pour the fourth cup of wine, setting aside an extra glass of wine for the Prophet Elijah,
and open the door for Elijah.
Step 17.
Sing psalms and recite the blessing over the wine.
Drink the fourth cup of wine.
After dinner, eat a piece of the afikomen.
Don’t eat or drink anything else for the rest of the night.
Step 18.
The ritual ends with a statement that the seder is done and the wish that Passover might
be celebrated in Jerusalem next year, which signifies the hope that the messiah will come
by then.
Step 19.
It is customary for some to repeat the seder on the second night of Passover.
Did you know The word “seder” means “order” or “arrangement.”