Seder Handbook

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בס''ד The Shomre Hadas Seder Handbook had in mind. In reality, while the Haggadah is a standardized text, no two Seders should really be the same. Each Seder should be tailormade to inspire the participants. Since the Seder must be tailor-made to its participants, it is important to recite the Haggadah in a language that everyone present will understand, even if not the original language of the text. One must recite the Haggadah in a language understandable to all. Since the Haggadah’s primary purpose is to teach the children about the Exodus and to publicize the miracles and wonders to all those attending the Seder, the leader must explain the Haggadah’s different elements and supply additional explanations in a way that is understandable to all those present. He must be especially careful to make sure that the children, as well as the Seder participants who are unfamiliar with the language and expressions used by our Sages, understand. Outside the Land of Israel, where Jews do not usually speak the Holy Tongue, the language of the Haggadah, [one should recite the Haggadah in the language that is understandable to all]… Such was the practice of the Chasam Sofer in Pressburg, he recited the entire Haggadah in two languages, Hebrew and German. (Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, Sefer HaToda’ah (Book of Our Heritage), Ch. 22) 31
בס''ד The Shomre Hadas Seder Handbook Section IV. Pesach, Matzah, and Maror The central feature of the Seder experience is composed of three elements: Pesach, matzah, and maror. We eat the same matzah that our ancestors ate in Egypt. We eat bitter herbs (maror) as an expression of the hardships experienced in Egyptian bondage. And if it were possible, the Pesach offering, which was first brought on the night preceding the Exodus, would also be eaten. Today, a roasted bone placed on the Seder Plate symbolically represents the Pesach sacrifice. Explaining these three elements of Passover – the Passover sacrifice, matzah, and maror – is one of the central themes of the Haggadah. Pesach, matzah, and maror must be explained at the Seder. Rabbi Gamliel used to say, “Whoever does not explain the following three things at the Pesach festival [i.e. Seder] has not fulfilled his duty, namely: the Pesach sacrifice, matzah, and maror.” (Passover Haggadah) Part A. Pesach The Passover sacrifice reminds us that our formation as a nation was miraculous. Pesach is an unusual name for this festival – God jumping over the homes of the Jews as He killed the first-born Egyptians. In essence, the Jews were not any different than the Egyptians! The Midrash states that both nations were worshipping idols. Furthermore, the Haggadah teaches that the Jews were devoid of mitzvot. (The Torah does teach that the Jews did fulfill the mitzvah of the Pesach offering, and the Midrash also states that the Jews were redeemed on the merit of maintaining their unique dress, language, and clothing; 32
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Seder Handbook

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