Passover began last night with the traditional Seder at sundown. Passover, more than any other Jewish holiday, revolves around food. Upon arriving to Seder there is an hour or so of rituals and prayers before the celebrants eat, and this delay can certainly build an appetite. But Passover is about the food because the holiday commemorates and celebrates the freedom of the enslaved Israelites — a holiday about the Exodus and the subsequent discovery of the land of milk and honey, must be celebrated with extravagant culinary treasures that prompt feelings of prosperity. Moreover, because there are special dietary restrictions during the week of Passover (i.e. no unleavened bread) the restricted menu narrows the possible options, making every Seder similar in its culinary offerings.
Every Seder has a “Seder Plate,” which holds symbolic foods used during the rituals preceding the feast. Maror is a bitter herb, often horseradish, which symbolizes the bitterness and harshness of slavery. It is eaten by itself and alongside Charoset, a delicious apple, nut, and cinnamon mixture, representative of the mortar used by the slaves. Karpas is a vegetable dipped in saltwater as part of the cleansing ritual of the Seder. Matzo is eaten in place of bread as a reminder that upon leaving Egypt, there was not time to bake bread. Each item has a place in the Seder, prompting some families to create an abridged version.
The meal following the service counters any feelings of deprivation evoked by the reminders of slavery. The meal often begins with gefilte fish, which I personally still have mixed feelings about –– though I know plenty (my boyfriend included) who swear by the stuff. Matzo ball soup is next. This soup, filled with little doughy Matzo balls is so delicious that many people enjoy it more than once a year. Then, of course, comes the sweet brisket, rich and juicy. It’s accompanied by some array of delicious seasonal vegetables, often early spring root varieties. At the Seder I went to last night they offered a large salad (of mixed lettuces, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and multi colored carrots), roasted asparagus, sweet potato cakes, turkey (for those who didn’t eat red meat), a roasted root vegetable medley, and an apple bake. Dessert follows predictably with coconut macaroons and flowerless chocolate cake with whipped cream. You leave Seder stuffed and completely satisfied, relieved of hunger as the Jews of Egypt were relieved of slavery.
Passover is a holiday in commemoration of pain and suffering, but it is more about the freedom, evidenced in the bountiful and delicious meal at Seder.
