Pseudo Seder Dinner

Welcome to our version of the Seder dinner.

The Seder is the most commonly celebrated Jewish ritual, pointing us back to the Passover that Jesus celebrated with his disciples. Seder customs include telling the story, discussing the story, drinking four cups of wine, eating Matzah, partaking of symbolic foods placed on the Passover Seder plate, and reclining in celebration of freedom.

You will need: Parsley, salt water, salad, Matzah, horseradish, and an plan for a main meal. For some recipe ideas, you can try this Moroccan Slow-Cooked Lamb recipe, some Majidra dishes, or simply make some chicken, hummus and pita, or a veggie dish!

We invite you to gather the necessary ingredients, and follow the meal & discussion guide below, so that you and your family can enter into this tradition in an experiential way!

Light the Candles - God is Light.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has set us apart by His word, and in whose Name we light the festival lights. As we light the festival lights, we pray for the illumination of God’s Spirit to bring personal meaning to this, our Passover celebration.

Cup of Sanctification - To Purify or Free from Sin.

Praised are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has purified us with your commandments. You gave us this Feast of Unleavened Bread and the season of freedom. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us in life, Who has preserved us and has enabled us to reach this season.

First Question & Parsley.

Why tonight do we dip our herbs twice? The parsley represents the newness of life that we find in Spring. Similarly, the Passover is a remembrance that God renews creation, brings life from hardship. We dip the parsley in salt water to remind us of the suffering and tears of the Israelites when they were in slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt. And we dip it again to remember the command to the Israelites to take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the bowl of blood and smear it on the lintel and on the two doorposts.

Eat Salad.

Second Question & Matzah.

Why tonight do we only eat unleavened bread? Matzah is called “the bread of affliction.” We eat unleavened bread to remember that God did what He said He would do and He delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. He did it so quickly though that the bread did not have time to rise and the Israelites had to grab their bread bowls before it had risen. The Israelites baked unleavened bread from the dough they brought out of Egypt as it sustained them for their journey. We also separate out one piece of Bread - called Afikomen, or, “that which comes after.”

Eat Matzah Ball Soup.

Third Question & Horseradish.

Why are we eating bitter herbs? We eat it to recall that the lives of our ancestors were embittered by the Egyptians, as we read: “And they made our lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and in all manner of field labor.” These bitter herbs remind us of the suffering of the Israelites.

Eat the Matzah & Horseradish.

Fourth Question & Story of the Exodus.

Why on this night do we hold this Passover service? Why is there a bone on the table? It is good for us to consider how God’s help has been our unfailing stay and support through ages of trial, persecution, and self-imposed brokenness. Ever since He called our father Abraham from the bondage of idolatry to His service of truth, He has been our Guardian.

At this point in the evening, you and your family may progress through the rest of the main meal.