Illustration and explanation from Public Domain Clip Art. Seder Haggadah shel Pesah (Passover Haggadah) (Amsterdam, 1695). Moses (right and above) and Aaron, his older brother and the founder of the Jewish priesthood, are depicted on the title page of the Amsterdam Haggadah.  An equally influential haggadah, which became the prototype for subsequent Ashkenazi haggadot, appeared in Amsterdam in 1695. Known as “The Amsterdam Haggadah.”

And this day shall become a memorial for you, and you shall observe it as a festival for the Lord, for generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your homes … you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree. - Exodus 12:14-17

Pesach – or Passover in English - is one of three important Jewish holidays that have historical and agricultural relevance as well as religious significance. It commemorates the dramatic exodus of the Jews from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago, which marks their freedom after four-hundred years of slavery under the Pharaohs.  

Passover is seven days and the first night  is celebrated at home with a service called Seder  סֵדֶר which means order.  At this service, it is incumbent upon Jewish parents to pass down the story of Exodus to their children by retelling it.  The tradition of Seder, including the foods served, are based on scriptures. I so appreciate this idea of a religious service conducted in the home, by and with family, with parents as educators.  I wonder if this fine tradition is embedded in Judaism because Jews have so often had to go underground to conduct their spiritual practice.

Photograph of Seder Table via Wikipedia under GNU Free Documentation License

The Seder Dinner is a complex ritual with readings, the symbolic drinking of wine four times, and prescribed foods.  It is family oriented as well as spiritually oriented.  It includes the Seder Plate, which helps to tell the Exodus story.

Public domain photograph via Wikipedia under GNU Free Documentation License

The six foods on the Seder Plate are:

1. Bitter Herbs – symbolic of the bitter life of slavery the Jewish people endured in Egypt. 
2. Salt water – symbolic of the tears and pain of slavery
3. Mortar – usually a mixture of dry fruit, spices, nuts and wine and symbolic of the masonry material used to bind construction blocks for pyramids and storehouses built by the Jews for the Egyptians.
4. Vegetable (parsley, onion or potato) – symbolic of springtime.
5. Shank bone – symbolic of the  lamb sacrificed at the Temple of Jerusalem. It represents gratitude to God for “passing over” the homes of the Jews, while the first born of the Egyptians died. 
6. Hard-boiled or roasted egg – symbolic of birth and death and the cycle of life.  It’s interesting that the egg has a role in both Passover and Easter.  It has its roots in paganism, which does not diminish its symbolic power in either religion. 

Photograph of Matzo Crackers from Manischewitz website.  Manischewitz is probably the largest manufacturer of Matzo Crackers and other Kosher foods. They began in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1888.  Their products were ever-present in the groceries of my childhood, but flavored crackers are – I think – a relatively new invention.

A seventh food, matzos, are placed on a second plate: Matzos represent the speed with which the Jews had to leave Egypt.  The bread was unleavened because there was no time for it to rise. No leavened bread may be eaten during the seven day Passover commemoration. 

Coconut macaroons are a traditional Passover sweet and,  as luck would have it, is naturally wheat-and-gluten free, so those with Celiac Disease or wheat-and-gluten sensitivity can eat it.  Here’s my recipe:

Coconut Macaroons, Gluten-free

The recipes

Makes twenty cookies

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit

Line a cookie sheet with parchment or with foil.  I foil, grease and flour the foil using Earth Balance and all-purpose GF flour.

• 14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 large egg whites, allow to come to room temperature
• scant 1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine the coconut, condensed milk, vanilla and almond extracts in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl until they from white peaks. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop by spoonfuls (or use an ice cream scope for greater ease) onto baking shets and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden. Cool on a cooling rack before serving.

The Jewish TV Network is a good resource with Passover recipes.  Don’t miss the Exodus Stories. 

Click here to link to a lovely detailed interactive site on the symbolism of the Seder Plate.