Passover Seder

The Passover Seder is a ritual feast marking the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, held on the 15th of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, usually in late March or April. Families and communities gather to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, using symbolic foods, readings, and songs to reflect on themes of slavery and freedom.

• Held on the 15th of Nisan, at sunset
• Features a Seder plate with symbolic foods
• Four cups of wine are drunk during the meal
• The Exodus story is retold using the Haggadah
• Celebrated in homes and community centers worldwide

What it is

The Passover Seder is a ritual meal observed by Jews and Samaritans worldwide at the start of Passover. It centers on retelling the story of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. The Seder is guided by the Haggadah, a text that sets out the order of the evening, including prayers, blessings, and songs. The event is deeply meaningful, serving as a time for families and communities to reflect on the themes of oppression and freedom, and to pass on these lessons to the next generation. The Seder is an occasion for gratitude, remembrance, and the reaffirmation of identity and faith.

Where it comes from

The Seder traces its origins to the Biblical commandment for Jews to recount the Exodus from Egypt to their children. The ritual draws from ancient traditions described in the Torah and has evolved over centuries, shaped by rabbinic teachings and local customs. The Haggadah, the central text of the Seder, compiles prayers, stories, and commentaries that have been added over generations. The Seder’s structure and symbolic foods reflect both the hardships of slavery and the joy of liberation, making it a key moment in the Jewish calendar for remembrance and teaching.

How it is celebrated

The Seder is most often held in the family home, though communal Seders are common in synagogues and community centers. Participants dress in holiday clothes and gather around a table set with a Seder plate, which holds symbolic foods such as bitter herbs (maror), sweet charoset, and matzah. Each person receives a copy of the Haggadah to follow the order of the evening, which includes telling the Exodus story, asking questions, singing, and discussing the meaning of the rituals. Four cups of wine are drunk at specific points, and participants recline as a sign of freedom. The meal itself features traditional dishes, and special attention is given to making everyone, especially children and guests, feel welcome and involved.

Joining in

Visitors can join a Seder by attending a communal meal at a synagogue or community center, many of which are open to newcomers. In Israel, the main Seder is on the first night of Passover, while in many communities outside Israel, a second Seder is held on the following night. Expect a warm, participatory atmosphere, with storytelling, singing, and symbolic foods. It is customary to ask questions and engage in discussion, making the experience accessible and meaningful for all present.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Passover Seder, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Passover Seder on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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