Baytzah (roasted egg) The second offering given at Passover was
sacrificed on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and could be a
sheep, lamb, goat or oxen and could be male or female. This is a freewill
offering of something that is not already dedicated to Adonai, and was also
done at the temple in Jerusalem. The egg is a traditional symbol of
mourning. Since we mourn the loss of the temple, the egg reminds us of this
offering, and our sorrow that we can no longer offer this sacrifice.
Marror (horseradish) — Bitter herb
As the bitterness of the horseradish brings tears to our eyes, we are
reminded of the tears shed by all of the children of Israel who are
experiencing the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.
Chazeret (lettuce) - Bitter herb.
Adonai commanded in Exodus 12:8 — ”They shall eat the flesh in that night,
roasted with fire, and matzah. They shall eat it with bitter herbs.” We also
eat the Chazeret to remind us of the bitterness of our slavery in Egypt.
Charoset — This is a mixture of apples and other fruits, nuts,
cinnamon and other spices with red wine or grape juice. Charoset is symbolic
of the mortar used to make the bricks and a remembrance of the hard work
done in the Egypt.
Karpas — A green vegetable. Celery, parsley or potatoes are most
often used. Karpas is symbolic of the hyssop used to put the blood of the
lamb upon the doorframes on the first Passover. The karpas is dipped in salt
water during our Seder to remind us of the tears shed when Israel cried out
to Adonai in Egypt and also represents the Red Sea, which Adonai split for
us as we escaped from bondage.
