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The Seder is a ceremonious dinner and ritual on the first and sometimes the second day of the Jewish Passover. Deeply rooted in tradition, families gather to read scriptural passages, learn about their faith, sing songs of praise, clean and eat a delicious meal.

Children especially use this as a time of learning, reciting standard questions to deepen their faith: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The patriarch generally gives historical context for their celebration, telling of the Israelite’s march out of slavery in Egypt and reaffirming that they were the chosen people of God, spared from the plagues that spread over the ancient land.

There are many preparations that must be made for the Seder and Passover feast. Weeks before the Jewish Passover, families scrub down the counters, stoves, floors and cupboards, removing all Chametz (wheat, rye, barley and spelt products). This symbolic gesture recalls how Jewish slaves left Egypt in great haste, without food and without time for their bread to rise.

All the eating utensils are boiled to remove Chametz and the family searches for any remaining crumbs Thursday night. The night before the Seder, the firstborn child undertakes a fast, which symbolizes how the firstborn Jewish children were spared during the last plague of Egypt. Families will get out their copy of the Haggadah, which guides the feast, placing it on the table. Prayers are said while preparing for Pesach (the Passover Seder) after the Shabbatz holy day.

The big feast of the Seder (Shulchan Orech) follows the ritual portion of the dinner. Some families begin with a boiled egg dipped in salt. Main courses may be fish, lamb, roasted chicken, turkey or beef brisket. Dairy sides may include homemade macaroni and cheese, cheese blintzes made from potato starch, matzo farfel pizza, noodle kugel, scrambled eggs and veggies, or matzo lasagna. Vegetarians may also have eggplant, Passover rolls and pareve stuffed cabbage rolls.

Fresh fruit and vegetable sides include sweet potatoes, oven-roasted asparagus, cauliflower, red cabbage, apple kugel, spinach kugel, mushroom kugel and potato casserole.

Desserts include the hidden piece of Matzah that was set aside at the beginning of the meal, coconut cake, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate mousse tortes, dried fruit compote, sponge cake, lemon meringue, nut cookies or other sweets. Passover recipes can be found online at www.kosherfood.about.com.

To read more Seder Dinner Feast

Following the mass exodus of the Israelites, a massive Tabernacle was built in Jerusalem, consecrated and anointed with oil. The Passover was the first major event following the completion of this building, one year after the exodus from Egypt to Canaan. Starting in 1000 BC during the reign of King David, the children of Israel gathered in Jerusalem each year to worship and offer their sacrifice to God.
 
Tradition is at the heart of Jewish families, particularly during this Holy Week. Young children grow up learning about the Passover traditions through scripture. In Exodus 12, they learn that God passed over the homes of his people when all Pharaoh’s people’s firstborn children were dying during the plague.

In Exodus 2, they read that the bitter herbs signify the anguish of slavery. In Psalm 42, they recall their hope in God, despite the horrors of slavery. Food is eaten in a reclined position, the history of Passover is read aloud before the Jewish Passover dinner of lamb is eaten.

In Israel, the Passover celebration lasts for seven days, with no work performed on the first and last days. Outside Israel, the festival lasts eight days, with the first and last two considered major holidays. On the first and second days, the Seder Passover feast is held. On the rest of the days (called the Chol HaMoed), families gather and eat picnic lunches of matzo, fruits, vegetables, macaroons and hardboiled eggs.

Flour and leavened food is not allowed, so instead, potatoes, eggs, oil, milk, cheese, fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh meat and chicken are consumed. Passover recipes for desserts like cake substitute potato starch or granulated matzo instead of flour and an abundance of eggs (8) to achieve a fluffy texture.

To read more The Passover Celebration During Holy Week