Teacher Barb H-M Attendance 5
Our class met in the Stanley Church kitchen this week. After filling about 300 eggs for the Easter egg hunt next Sunday, we talked about the meaning of the six foods that comprise the Seder Plate for Passover. To the left is a photo of a filled plate. (Clockwise from the top)
Chazeret(romaine lettuce) symbolizes the bitterness of slavery the Jews suffered in Egypt.
Z’roa (a roasted lamb or chicken bone) symbolizes the Pesach sacrifice of a lamb in the Temple of Jerusalem. A beet can be substituted for vegetarians.
Haroset (fruit& nut mixture)has a pebbly texture symbolizing the mortar used by Israelite slaves to build Egyptian houses.
Maror (bitter herbs or the pungent horseradish condiment chrein) to taste the strong bitterness of suffering.
Karpas (green vegetable like celery stalks) is dipped into salt water and eaten at the start of the Seder to spark the 4 questions.
Beitzah (roasted egg) symbolizes both the festival sacrifice and the hope for a fresh start or rebirth.
For more information, and to see a Seder table laid out with matzoh and the Haggadah books, click on this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover_Seder_Plate
Here’s the Ashkenazic Haroset recipe we made for the plate
Mix together 2 large apples (peeled, chopped fine), 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped fine) , 1/2 cup raisins, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons Kosher grape juice (subbed for sweet red wine). It tasted okay but the cinnamon flavor was strong.
Next, Barb hid a piece of matzah in a napkin and the group had to look for it. This tradition is called Tzafun (Find and Eat the Afikoman ) This happens after the meal, but before the end of the Seder. Barb hid the afikoman in a tricky place, but it was found, with some hints. Finally, the group filmed their explanations of the Seder plate foods. They will try to shoot some video at the church Seder dinner this Thursday March 20.
March 23, Easter, there won’t be a class, but the group will help hide the Easter eggs during the service.
Have a blessed holiday, Barb Hauck-Mah
