There is a certain order that needs to be followed on the night of Passover Seder. Read on to know more about Pesach Seder Order.
Seder Order
Passover is one of the most sacred festivals of the Jews. It is during this time that Jews and Christians celebrate the 'passing over' of the angel of death, from the houses of the Jews, while afflicting the Egypt with the tenth plague. During the festival, there is a certain order that needs to be followed strictly on the night of Seder. This is precisely the order in which the rituals are performed as the night follows. According to the Jewish Sages, Passover occurs on the 15th of Nissan. So, they concluded that the growth should also be in 15 gradual steps that will finally lead to freedom. In the following lines, we have mentioned the Passover Seder Order, just for you.
Passover Seder Order
- Seder usually starts with theKaddesh or sanctification. Popularly known as Kiddush, it is normally said by the father of the house who seeks for blessing over the first cup of wine.
- A meal at a Jewish house traditionally starts with the washing of the hands. According to the traditions, no blessing is recited at this point in the Seder, much unlike the blessing recited over the washing of the hands before eating bread at any other day.
- Karpas that serves as an appetizer is then consumed, wherein everybody dips a vegetable into either salt water or vinegar or charoset.
- Karpas is followed by yachatz or the breaking of the middle matzah. The middle of the matzah on the Seder Plate is broken in two, out of which the larger piece is hidden, and is used as a 'dessert' after the meal.
- Next follows the Magid or the telling of the story of Passover and the change from slavery to freedom. Jews follow a custom wherein they lift the Seder Plate over the heads of all those present, while chanting "Bivhilu yatzanu mimitzrayim, halahma anya b'nei horin", (In haste we went out of Egypt with our bread of affliction, now we are free people).
- Ha Lachma Anya or the invitation to the Seder follows next. where matzot are uncovered, and referred to as the "bread of affliction". All those who are hungry or needy are asked to join in the Seder.
- Mah Nishtanah or the Four Questions follows Ha Lachma Anya. Over here, four questions are asked by the youngest child of the family.
- The answer of all the four questions asked by the son is then given by the eldest member of the family.
- This is followed by the drinking of the Second Cup of Wine, which is traditionally known as Kos Sheini.
- Thereafter, Rohtzah or theritual washing of hands is performed. This time, the custom is performed along with the recitation of the blessings.
- Motzi Matzo or a blessing over the matzo is practiced next. It is a generic blessing for bread or grain products, as recited over the matzah.
- The matzo and maror are later combined, similar to a sandwich, and eaten. This follows the tradition of Hillel.
- Next comes the run of Shulchan Orech or the festive meal. It traditionally begins with the hard-boiled egg on the Seder plate.
- Tzafun or eating of the afikoman, which was hidden earlier in the Seder, is traditionally the last morsel of food eaten by participants in the Seder. Certain families practice the tradition of rewarding their children for returning the stolen afikoman.
- The recital of Birkat Hamazon or Bareich is followed next. This is mainly done to grace the meals.
- It is in this step that the Kos Shlishi, or the Third Cup of Wine, is indulged in.
- The front door is opened to invite the Prophet Elijah. Along side, the Fourth Cup of Wine is consumed.
- Hallel or songs of praises are then sung. During this time, families recite several psalms, followed by a blessing over the last cup of wine.
- Nirtzah is the closing of the Seder, which is mainly done by the recitation of a simple statement that it has been completed. A wish is made that Jews may celebrate next Pesach in Jerusalem or that the Messiah may come again next year. It is followed by various hymns and stories.
