Seder Handbook

בס''ד
The Shomre Hadas Seder Handbook
The Seder has fifteen steps. This corresponds to the fifteen steps that
led up to the entrance of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The mystical
texts teach us that the physical world is an expression of the spiritual.
The physical steps of the Temple allowed the people to “go up” into
the Temple. So too, there are fifteen corresponding spiritual steps that
allow us to “go up” and “grow up.” These are the fifteen steps of the
Seder Night. They are a way to self-growth. They fulfill our spiritual
need to grow.
(Rabbi Mitch Mandel and Eliot Katz, Seder for the Soul, from www.aish.com)
Part B. The Fifteen Simanim (Symbols)
Since there are many steps in the Seder, a system was devised to keep
them all in order. In this system, which is attributed either to the
famous Biblical commentator Rashi or to a close contemporary of his,
Rabbi Shmuel Falasse (one of the Tosafists), the Seder is divided into
fifteen steps. Each one has a title, which is called its siman. Here we
will briefly outline the simanim of the Seder Night, and explain it
message and deeper meaning.
1. Kadesh – We take a full cup of wine and pronounce the blessings
on the wine and on the holiday of Passover.
Kadesh Unlocked: The foundation of self-growth is to recognize that
we are unique and therefore intrinsically valuable. Kadesh moves us
to “set ourselves apart” – to realize we’re unique and worthy of
investing effort in our personal growth. This is the first of the Four
Cups of wine that we will drink at the Seder.
2. Urchatz – We pour water over our hands (without reciting the
customary blessing).
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