Celebrating Passoverpage 5 / 6
1. Kaddesh—Sanctification. Recite Kaddesh, a blessing over a cup of wine or grape juice.
2. Urechatz—Washing. Washing of the hands, 3 times for each right and left, without making a blessing in preparation for Karpas.
3. Karpas—Vegetable. Dip a vegetable, usually parsley, into salt water and eat it. This is done to remember the tears the Jews shed during slavery.
4. Yachatz—Breaking. Break one of the three matzah at the table in two. The larger piece is called the Afikoman and is hidden. He who finds it may ask for a gift. The other piece is returned to the table.
5. Maggid—The Story. The story of the exodus and the first Passover is retold, beginning with the youngest person at the table asking the four questions. Each of the four questions begins with: Why is this night different from all other nights?
• On all other nights, we eat either unleavened or leavened bread, but tonight we eat only unleavened bread?
• On all other nights, we eat all kinds of vegetables, but tonight, we eat only bitter herbs?
• On all other nights, we do not dip our food even once, but tonight we dip twice?
• On all other nights, we eat either sitting or reclining, but tonight we only recline?
6. Rachtza—Washing. A second washing of the hands but this time with a blessing in prepration for eating the matzah.
7. Motzi—Blessing over Grain Products. A blessing for grain products and bread is said over the matzah.
8. Matzah—Blessing over Matzah. A specific blessing is said over the matzah and some is eaten.
9. Maror—Bitter Herbs. A blessing is recited over a bitter vegetable, usually horseradish, which is then eaten with a bit of romaine lettuce to symbolize the bitterness of slavery. Maror is eaten with a mixture of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine, known as charoses, which symbolizes the mortar used by the Jews in building during their slavery.