blog




  • Essay / The structure and order of the Passover Seder - 525

    The word “Seder” means order. Obviously, order is very important at the Passover Seder. It turns out that the Passover Seder is ordered in such a way that each of the 15 steps represents one of the 15 stages of the ascent to the Beit Hamikdash. The first stage is Kaddesh which represents the sanctification of time. Every Jew has a responsibility to sanctify his time and use each moment to its fullest. Abraham is said to have sanctified every moment of his life. We must particularly sanctify our time when we perform a Mitzvah, as is done during the Passover Seder. The second stop is Urchatz. During Urchatz, we physically eliminate any impurities we have. The third stage is Karpas, during which we eat an appetizer symbolizing the appetizing need of every Jew to learn more about Judaism and the Torah. The fourth stage is Yachatz. This break symbolizes the sacrifices that every Jew must make in his life. The fifth stage is Maggid. This step is the fulfillment of the main mitzvah of Passover: telling the story of the exodus from Egypt. The sixth stage is Rachtzah.. ...