Questions tagged [passover-seder-hagada]
The seder (ceremonial meal of the first night or two of Passover) and the haggadah (text used at that meal).
391
questions
32
votes
11
answers
2k
views
Seder advice when with people who aren't interested?
This may have some things in common with beginner's seder advice, but it's different enough that I'm asking separately.
For family-obligation reasons, I sometimes find myself at a seder where most of ...
- 56.4k
29
votes
3
answers
626
views
What kind of seder did a non-oleh l'regel have during the time of the Bais Hamikdash (and for that matter, the entire 40 years in the desert)?
Our haggadah did not always exist - it appears to be primarily from the time of the Mishna. Before then, there was a Korban Pesach and specific procedures for organizing family and/or friends to eat ...
- 453
20
votes
7
answers
3k
views
What do you do with Kos Shel Eliyahu
The Minhag is to fill up an additional cup towards the end of the seder known as Kos Shel Eliyahu. I was just wondering what the various minhagim are as to what to do with it after the seder is over.
- 38.5k
17
votes
7
answers
612
views
How would Har Sinai without the Torah have been enough?
In the Hagada of Peasach it says "even if he brought us to Har Sinai but didn't give us the Torah it would have been enough." What would be the purpose of going to Har Sinai if we didn't get the Torah?...
- 3,087
17
votes
8
answers
1k
views
"If God had not delivered us from Egypt we would still be slaves"? Really?
One part of the Pesach seder that has always bothered me is saying that if God had not taken us out of Mitzrayim at that time we would still be slaves today. This seems lacking in faith in God; ...
- 56.4k
17
votes
5
answers
678
views
Why is the wicked son sanctioned for doing what the wise son does?
In the Passover Hagada we're told about the four sons.
The second one is called wicked because he asks, "What is this service to you?!" ("מה העבודה הזאת לכם?") (emphasis mine), while the first one is ...
- 637
14
votes
8
answers
1k
views
What can I feed a vegetarian at my Pesach seder?
Wait wait, it's not a question for Seasoned Advice. :-)
I have a vegetarian (not vegan) coming to my seder this year. Most of the vegetarian staples (as far as I know) are chametz or kitniyot. For ...
- 56.4k
13
votes
3
answers
487
views
Beginners' Seder Advice
I'm going to be at a seder this year with young children who are familiar with the basic structure of the haggadah. Some will likely have some of the classic divrei torah prepared for them to say. I'm ...
- 97.3k
13
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why do we say Pesach seder brachot both nights?
During the Pesach seder, but not during the rest of Pesach, we say b'rachot for the mitzvot of matzah and maror. (I mean the "asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav" b'rachot.) So it seems that we are only ...
- 56.4k
13
votes
2
answers
472
views
Advanced Seder Advice
I'm going to be at a seder this year with other adults who are all relatively familiar with the text and structure of the haggadah. Most have heard many of the classic divrei torah many times. I'm ...
- 97.3k
12
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Wearing a Kittel at the Seder
I grew up with my father wearing a Kittel at the Seder. My father wore a Kittel at the Seder immediately from when he got married. Over the years I have heard that some people do not wear a Kittel the ...
- 139k
12
votes
3
answers
12k
views
How much is 2 Zuz worth in current USD?
As mentioned in the Passover Hagaddah, how much is "2 Zuz" worth in March 2013 US Dollars?
Please note there may be different types of Zuz: "זוזי פשיטי" and "זוזי ממש" (Ketuvot 67a).
This may be the ...
- 121
12
votes
2
answers
321
views
Are you supposed to do the responsive parts of Hallel at the Seder?
At a Pesach Seder, when you get to the parts of Hallel that are done responsively in a congregation, are you supposed to do them responsively? Does the answer depend on how many people are at the ...
- 47.8k
11
votes
9
answers
2k
views
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What were the 300 plagues of the Exodus?
The הגדה says:
במצרים לקו חמשים מכות, ועל הים לקו חמשים ומאתים מכות
In Egypt, they were struck with 50 plagues, and by the Sea [of Reeds], they were struck with 250 plagues
What were ...
- 767
11
votes
2
answers
852
views
Chad Gadya: The price of a kid goat
Was the fair market value of a kid goat really two zuzim? This piyyut is of course allegorical, but, if the value given is highly inaccurate, is the discrepancy in value symbolic beyond the symbolism ...
- 16.9k
11
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Is it appropriate for a Gentile to attend and/or participate in a Seder?
The context: last year, I saw this sign that announced the time and place that a Jewish Seder (probably Yom Kippur) would happen. I was definitely curious and considered going and at least observing ...
- 949
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Shalom Aleichem and Eishet Chayil at the Pesach Seder?
When the (first) Seder falls out on Friday night (as it did this year), the custom at my family's Seder is not to say Shalom Aleichem and Eishet Chayil. I have looked in all of the Machzorim and ...
- 461
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is the modern Jewish interpretation of Exodus 12:11?
I'm not Jewish, so please forgive me if my question sounds ignorant.
My understanding is that in modern Judaism, the Passover meal is eaten sitting rather than standing.
However, this seems to ...
user16888
10
votes
2
answers
154
views
Why is the word "Makkat" added to 10th plague of Bechorot?
Why does the Haggadah refer only to the 10th plague with "Makkat" and not by the other 9 plagues?
:אֵלּוּ עֶשֶׂר מַכּוֹת שֶׁהֵבִיא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עַל־הַמִּצְרִים בְּמִצְרַיִם, וְאֵלוּ הֵן
...
- 688
10
votes
1
answer
364
views
Origin of Haggadah Section Titles (Kadesh Urchatz, etc.)
What is the historical origin of the section titles of the Haggadah?
(Inspired by discussion in comments on this answer to the question: Translation of haggadah section titles)
- 41.5k
10
votes
2
answers
276
views
“Terach, father of Avraham and of Nachor”—what about Haran?
As quoted in the Hagadah, Yehoshua 24:2 reminds the Jewish people that, “Your ancestors lived across the river: Terach, father of Avraham and of Nachor; and they served strange gods.” God then reminds ...
- 4,082
10
votes
1
answer
208
views
What is the first use of the word "Seder" (סדר) for the Pesach night proceedings?
The Pesach night proceedings are commonly called the "Seder" (סדר). This word more generally means "order."
What is the first recorded use of the word סדר for this event?
- 388
10
votes
1
answer
208
views
Why are some sons' answers different from what's written in the Torah?
In the Hagada, the 4 sons ask questions (except, of course, for the son who doesn't know how to ask…), and they get answers.
In most cases, both the questions and the answers are put in the form of ...
- 974
10
votes
1
answer
219
views
Traditionalist evaluation of the "New American Haggadah"?
One of the hot new offerings in the Haggada market this year is the New American Haggadah by novelists Jonathan Safran Foer and Nathan Englander. It features a new translation by Englander as well as ...
- 47.8k
10
votes
1
answer
464
views
What cracks disqualify a Shmurah Matzah as whole?
What cracks disqualify a hand-baked (typically Shmurah) Matzah as whole for the purposes of lechem mishneh and the Seder?
I've been told that:
Cracks in the center of the matzah that do not reach ...
- 101
9
votes
7
answers
418
views
How do you pick a Hagada to use at the Seder?
There are hundreds or thousands of
editions of the Hagada available. How do you choose which one is best to use at the Seder?
- 47.8k
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How many people are needed to eat a korban pesach in one night?
I am trying to figure out mathematically how many people were at a typical Pesach seder in the times of the Temple. I think the number can be approximated from the size, in terms of kosher portions ...
- 7,896
9
votes
2
answers
441
views
Seeking mnemonic for the order of the Pesach Seder
The Passover Seder is long and has lots of steps. Sometimes I get confused what comes next!
I'm looking for a mnemonic (perhaps poetic?) to use to help remember the order of the different steps. Do ...
- 97.3k
9
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Any practical tips for leaning when seated in an armless dining-room chair?
We are supposed to lean while drinking the 4 cups and eating the matza at the Seders, but I find it hard to do that while sitting in an armless dining room chair. Likewise, I have not been able to ...
- 7,896
9
votes
2
answers
733
views
How can we drink wine after the Afikomen?
Mishna Berura 478:1:2 says that you should not drink anything other than water after the Afikomen in order not to lose the flavor of the Matza. How then can we drink cup 3 and cup 4 of wine after the ...
- 139k
9
votes
3
answers
468
views
Do they change the text of the haggadah in Israel?
At the seder, we recite Ha Lachma and say: הָשַׁתָּא הָכָא, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל -- This year we are here, next year in the Land of Israel. Do they say that in Israel?
I have no ...
- 20.7k
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why is Moshe (mostly) absent from the haggadah?
Somebody asked at my seder this year why Moshe is largely absent from the magid. I have heard that the reason is because we're supposed to focus on God, and also that Moshe was very humble and there ...
- 56.4k
8
votes
5
answers
528
views
Answers to the Mah Nishtanah
Almost every small Jewish child learns the Mah Nishtanah sometimes even in multiple languages the questions remains is that the question remains. Where in the Haggadah are the four questions answered (...
- 355
8
votes
7
answers
658
views
Why "hamokom" in Haggada
Why do we say baruch hamokom baruch hu?
Why that name of hashem here? There are many more names we could have used.
- 1,130
8
votes
2
answers
289
views
If Hashem brought about Macos Bechoros by himself, with out any angel, then what is the משחית?
If Hashem brought about Macos Bechoros by himself, with out any angel, then what is the משחית that would not harm the Bnei Yisroel mentioned in Shemot Chapter 12, Verse 23?
Premises based on the ...
- 6,708
8
votes
2
answers
305
views
When Pesach falls on Motzei Shabbos, should women make Havdallah?
Although there are numerous customs, some have the custom that all present at the Seder - including women - recite Kiddush together.
On a year such as this, where pesach falls on Motzei Shabbos, what ...
- 7,891
8
votes
1
answer
711
views
Origin of Spilling Wine by 10 Plagues
The custom among all Jews (as far as I know) is to spill a drip of wine for each of the plagues as they are mentioned in a list in the haggadah. This custom is not mentioned anywhere in the Talmud (as ...
- 97.3k
8
votes
1
answer
624
views
Why is it ok to pay the kids for the afikoman?
Most Pesach sedarim feature the afikoman hide-and-seek game; either the children steal it and ransom it back or the parents hide it and (in my experience) pay a prize to the child who finds it. At ...
- 56.4k
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What is Nirtzah?
In every one of the 15 steps one is supposed (according to Halacha) to either do something, eat something or say something.
For example,
Kadesh - one must do Kiddush - Biblical/Rabbinic.
Urchatz - ...
- 40.3k
8
votes
1
answer
399
views
Why do Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel argue twice regarding kiddush?
In Berachos 51b (8:1), Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel argue about when making kiddush on an ordinary seudah whether one should make the brachah on the day first, or the brachah on the wine. Beis Shammai ...
- 34.1k
7
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Custom to refrain from eating meat at the Pesach Seder?
I recently heard from two separate people about a custom not to eat any meat at the Seder (i.e. only fish and chicken are eaten). This was surprising to me, as the minhag mentioned in the Mishnah, ...
- 21.1k
7
votes
1
answer
621
views
Can you eat the Beitza at the Seder?
The Halacha is not to eat roasted meat at the Seder, therfore you can not eat the Zeroa at the Seder. Can you eat the roasted egg (Beitza) at the Seder? (sources)
- 139k
7
votes
3
answers
265
views
Responses to the Chacham and Tam
In the Haggadah, the response to the Chacham is teaching him the halachos of Pesach, whereas the response to the Tam is that Hashem took us out of Mitzraim with a strong arm.
Yet, in the Yerushalmi, ...
- 34.1k
7
votes
2
answers
568
views
Why in the Haggadah do we split up the Hallel?
Why do we split up the Hallel in the Haggadah and say two paragraphs of Hallel by Magid and the rest of Hallel after the Birchat Hamzon? Why not complete all of Hallel initially?
- 6,708
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Preparing the Beitzah for the Seder Plate
What is the appropriate way to prepare the Beitzah for the Seder Plate?
- 41.5k
7
votes
1
answer
545
views
What's the deal with horseradish at the seder?
Every Pesach seder I've been to, including ones run by Chabad and Hillel, has used horseradish root as the maror. But this seems to be controversial -- maybe horseradish isn't ok at all, or maybe ...
- 56.4k
7
votes
1
answer
668
views
Jewish viewpoint on Gentiles celebrating a Christian Seder?
I am a Gentile and a practicing Christian and would like to know how the Jewish community considers some Christians celebrating their own particular forms of a Christian Seder?
Christian Passover
...
- 583
7
votes
5
answers
327
views
What is your favorite haggadah? [closed]
There are many classic and modern haggadot. Any recommendations? If so, why? And if available online (such as at HebrewBooks), please provide a link.
- 20.4k
7
votes
1
answer
612
views
Sources of the story about drinking milk to fulfill the four cups at the seder
A man could not afford the wine for the four cups of the seder, and asked the Rav whether he could use milk. The Rav offered to pay for wine, and gave him much more money than wine would require. The ...
- 2,217