Pesach

A Step-by-step Guide to A Kosher Seder

Seder means order. The simple instructions below will help you to lead (or participate in) a Seder with a minimum of anxiety. Bring this booklet along with you to your Pesach table and follow these fourteen steps to a Kosher Seder.

Before starting your Seder, prepare your Seder plate

1. KADESH

Fill the first cup of wine. Each of the Four Cups must contain at least a Reviit (86 ml). Recite Kiddush from your Haggadah. After Kiddush, drink a minimum of just over half of the cup of wine, while reclining to the left.

2. URCHATZ

Wash your hands as you would normally for bread (fill a large cup with water, and pour twice over entire right hand, then twice over entire left hand; dry hands thoroughly) but do not say a blessing.

3. KARPAS

Dip a small piece (less than 25 g) of vegetable (parsley, onion, boiled potato) in salt water. Say the Bracha and eat while leaning to the left. While saying the Bracha have in mind the Maror that will be eaten later on.

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam Bore Pri Ha-adamah.

4. YACHATZ

The middle Matzah is broken into two parts. The smaller part is replaced between the other two Matzot. The larger part is wrapped in a serviette and set aside as the Afikomen.

5. MAGGID

The story of the Exodus is read. Although it should be read in Hebrew, the emphasis is on understanding the story, and parts of the Haggadah should therefore be translated if those present do not understand Hebrew. Before the Four Questions (MA NISHTANA) fill the Second Cup of wine. When the reading is completed drink a minimum of just over half of the cup of wine, while reclining to the left.

6. RACHTZA

Hands are washed for Matzah (same as for bread - see no. 2 above), and recite the Bracha.

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam Asher Kideshanu Be-Mitzvotav Ve-Tzivanu Al Netilat Yadayim.

7. MOTZI - MATZA

All three Matzot are held and the first Bracha is said. Then the second Bracha is said while holding only the top two Matzot. Eat at least a Kezayit from the top Matzah and middle (broken) Matzah combined, while leaning to the left. A Kezayit is equivalent to 29 grams (¾ of a square Matzah or ½ of a hand-made round Matzah.) Ideally though you should eat a Kezayit each of the top and of the middle Matzah. No salt, margarine etc. should be eaten with the Matzah.

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam Hamotzi Lechem Min Ha-aretz.

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam Asher Kideshanu Be-Mitzvotav Ve-Tzivanu Al Achilat Matzah.

8. MAROR

One Kezayit of bitter herbs (pure ground Horseradish, Romaine, Chinese or Coz lettuce) is dipped in Charoset. Recite Bracha and eat without reclining. Horseradish in a jar (which is pickled and/or mixed with other ingredients) is not acceptable. Various types of Maror can be combined to form a Kezayit. Make sure that Charoset is shaken off before eating the Maror.

Baruch Ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu Melech Haolam Asher Kideshanu Be-Mitzvotav Ve-Tzivanu Al Achilat Maror.

9. KORECH

Take one Kezayit Maror and one Kezayit Matzah (from the bottom Matzah) and eat as a sandwich while reclining to the left. The Maror should first be dipped in Charoset as above.

10. SHULCHAN ORECH

The Seder meal is now eaten. First course is usually hard-boiled egg (from Seder Plate) and salt water. No roast may be eaten.

11. TZAFUN

At the end of the meal (after dessert) eat the Afikomen. Minimum requirement one Kezayit, ideally it should be two. No food or drink may be consumed after the Afikomen.

12. BARECH

Fill the Third Cup of Wine and recite Birkat Hamazon (or Bentching - the Grace after meals). After Birkat Hamazon drink a minimum of just over half of the cup of wine, while reclining to the left.

13. HALLEL

The Fourth Cup is filled now as well as a special cup for Elijah the Prophet. The front door is opened. After it is closed complete the reading of Hallel and other songs of praise to Hashem. When finished drink a full Reviit of wine, while leaning to the left.