The Significance of the Seder Plate
Did you know that the significance of the Seder plate is an important part of understanding the Passover celebration? Each element holds deep meaning, and for Believers, we can see Jesus in every detail, from the 4 cups of wine to the boiled/roasted egg. Even how they are placed on the plate holds meaning. This Passover, discover the significance of the Seder plate and your spiritual heritage. It’s time to come into the fullness of the Messiah!
The Seder plate: Depending upon the size of the Passover table, you can have at least one Seder plate. Each plate holds at least six ritual items, including the shank bone, karpas, charoset, maror, and an egg. This plate is often heavily decorated and displayed in a primary place within the home throughout the rest of the year.
Roasted lamb shank bone: A striking symbol of Passover is the roasted lamb shank bone —called the zeroah in Hebrew. The bone commemorates the lamb sacrifice on the evening the ancient Hebrews fled Egypt. Zeroah, meaning “arm,” refers to the arm of the Lord, as He stretched out his arm to save the Jewish people from slavery.
Roasted egg: The roasted egg, or the baytsah, stands in place of one of the traditional sacrificial offerings, which would have been performed in the days of the Second Temple. Many subscribe that this also represents that God’s people remain unscathed in the heat of the fire.
Maror: Referred to as the “bitter herb,” maror is a spicy root that brings tears to the eyes when eaten. This act refers to the bitterness the ancient Hebrews experience while living in Egypt. It is also a time for the modern-day Believer to reflect on bitter enslavements within themselves.
Charoset: The opposite of the maror, charoset is a sweet and chunky applesauce filled with apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon. Charoset signifies the mortar placed between the bricks created by the Hebrews while in slavery and also reflects the goodness of God, who is faithful to remove the bitter roots from our lives.
Karpas: Karpas is a green vegetable and is typically replaced with Parsley at the contemporary table. A small vile of saltwater sits nearby, and the karpas is dipped into it several times throughout the meal. Dipping food was considered a luxury in ancient times. This act symbolizes new life as we walk out of slavery into the promised land.
Chazeret: The chazeret is a second bitter herb with the same meaning as the maror.
Salt Water: Although salt water symbolizes the sweat and tears experienced during slavery in Egypt, it also stands for purification and healing.
Matzah: Three pieces of matzah also are placed upon the Seder plate. This bread is made without leaven and does not rise like traditional bread. This bread would have been made hastily, allowing the Hebrew children to escape quickly. Leaven in bread enables the dough to rise and puff up. The removal of leaven represents the removal of personal pride in our souls.
Wine: Each individual attending the Seder is given a cup, or glass, from which they drink four cups of wine. Traditionally these represent the four promises of God. “I will take you out…”, “I will save you…”, “I will redeem you…”, and “I will take you as a nation…”.
We hope you will join us for a virtual Seder, from our home to yours, on Friday, April 7th, at 6:15 PM CT, at CurtLandry.com/live.
The Passover season is one of the most important seasons for our ministries, and we would be honored to have you worship with us!
In fact, you might wish to host a Seder at your home for your family and friends while you follow along with us via LIVE stream!
Here is what you will need to create your own Seder plate:
- A Seder plate to hold at least 6 of the elements (juice/wine will be in a cup, link for Seder plates below)
- A kiddush cup to hold your juice/wine
- Matzah (3 pieces of bread or crackers without leaven)
- Horseradish (One teaspoon per person is ample)
- Charoset (Chunky applesauce with nuts and cinnamon, approximately 1 tablespoon per person)
- Parsley (Just enough for everyone to have a sprig)
- Saltwater (Enough for people to dip their parsley into)
- Grape Juice or Wine (Enough juice/wine for each person to have 4 sips)
- It is also traditional/symbolic of having a roasted lamb shank bone and a boiled egg on the table. If you have a lamb shank, no worries! You can use a chicken wing or something similar to represent the arm of God and Jesus’ sacrifice.
Get your Passover guide here, which includes a graphic of the Seder plate, where to place the elements, and what they symbolize.
Purchase a Seder plate…