The Seder plate is an essential part of Passover celebrations. It contains foods that represent the Exodus, the Messiah’s life, and the rebirth of the world. Each item on the Seder plate has its own specific meaning. Some of the foods are eaten and some can be used for display purposes. Many people choose to have a beautiful and decorative plate on which to do this. To see Seder Plates, try visiting cazenovejudaica.com/uk/seder-plate
There are a number of symbolic foods that are placed on the Seder plate. These foods represent the four stages of the Exodus. Among the symbolic foods, the first item on the Seder plate is the karpas, a sprig of parsley. The addition of parsley also links to rebirth and Spring, the season where Passover falls.
Traditionally, a sprig of parsley is dipped into salt water. This symbolically represents the tears that the Jews in Egypt shed. A hard-boiled egg is another popular item on the Seder plate. Its colour and shape recall the circle of life. A hard-boiled egg is a tasty and protein-rich snack and it also serves as a reminder of the Passover festival offering.
Another popular item on the Seder plate is the charoset, which is a sweet mixture of apples, nuts, cinnamon, and red wine. Charoset is often accompanied by a pomegranate flavour to help evoke the idea of the exodus.
During the Seder, the first two items on the Seder plate, the charoset and the karpas, are dipped into salt water. Afterwards, guests dip their greens in the salt water.