Please note: There are many answers to every question that is asked about Passover and the Seder. Here we present one popular answer to each question.
For more questions and answers, check out our wide selection of Haggadahs that will keep you busy all Seder night and past dawn!
Printable Version
Print this out before the start of Passover so you can reference the answers during the Seder!
Answer #1:
The four cups of wine stand for the four expressions of redemption used by G-d in Exodus 6:
והוצאתי - V'hotzeiti - I will take you out
והצלתי- V'hitzalti - I will rescue you
וגאלתי- V'go'alti - I will redeem you
ולקחתי- V'lokachti - I will take you as a nation
Answer #2:
The three Matzahs signify three categories of Jews invited to the Seder:
כהן - Kohen - Priests
לוי - Levi - the Leviite tribe
ישראל - Yisrael - every single Jew
Answer #3:
The kittel resembles the angels who are free of sin. Wearing the kittel symbolizes this freedom and engenders feelings of happiness.
Answer #4:
The Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534-1572) specified a symbolic setup for the Seder items to be presented at the Seder. The Seder plate, which is removed and replaced on the table periodically during the Seder, is set up according to this mystical setup.
Answer #5:
There are six symbolic foods on the Seder plate, used throughout different steps of the Seder:
חזרת - Chazeret - Lettuce/Bitter Herbs: Symbolizes the bitter harshness of the slavery in Egypt; used for Koreich
כרפס - Karpas - Vegetable: Symbolizes hope and renewal, dipped into saltwater to symbolize the tears of the Jews in Egypt; used for Karpas
ביצה - Beitzah - Roasted Egg: Symbolizes the Korban Chagigah, Festival Sacrifice, which was offered in the Jerusalem Temple and served on Seder night. The egg is a symbol of mourning, as we cannot currently offer this sacrifice at the Temple. The roasted egg is not eaten during the Seder, but some have the custom to start the Shulchan Oreich (main meal) with an egg dipped in saltwater.
זרוע - Zeroah - Roasted Shankbone: Symbolizes the Korban Pesach, Passover Sacrifice, which was offered in the Jerusalem Temple and served on Seder night. The zeroah serves as a visual reminder of the sacrifice only, and is not eaten during the Seder.
חרוסת - Charoset - Nuts and Dates Mixture: Symbolizes the brick and mortar the Jewish people were forced to use as slaves to build in Egypt; used for Marror and Koreich
מרור - Marror - Bitter Herbs: Symbolizes the bitter harshness of the slavery in Egypt; used for Marror
Answer #6:
Passover occurred during the spring. Although He could have chosen to redeem the Jewish people at any time of year, G-d chose the spring season, when the weather outside is just right, to make the exodus to freedom that much sweeter!
Answer #7:
Charoset symbolizes the brick and mortar the Jewish people were forced to use as slaves to build in Egypt.
Answer #8:
During the Seder, we dip in saltwater to remember the tears of the Jewish people enslaved in Egypt.
Answer #9:
דם - Dam - Blood
צפרדע - Tzfardei'a - Frogs
כינים - Kinim - Lice
ערוב - Arov - Wild Animals
דבר - Dever - Livestock Disease
שחין - Sh'chin - Boils
ברד - Barad - Fire and Ice filled Hail
ארבה - Arbeh - Locusts
חשך - Choshech - Darkness
מכת בכורות - Makkas Bechoros - Death of the Firstborn
Answer #10:
This one's up to YOU! The Passover Seder has been passed from generation to generation of Jewish families since the Exodus from Egypt. The lessons available to learn span the gamut of human experience and interaction, so go and learn the value of curiosity, helping the poor, remembering the past, overcoming challenges, the power of giving thanks, the beauty of freedom, being connected to your heritage, and so much more...