(the) Four Questions
Four specific questions asked at the beginning of the Passover seder, the answers to which shape the rest of the retelling of the exodus from Egypt. Learn how to recite or sing the Four Questions.
karpas
A green herb or vegetable (parsley, celery, watercress) used as part of the Passover seder to symbolize spring and rebirth.
ma'ot chitim
"Wheat money;" money collected prior to Passover and used to assist the needy to celebrate the holiday.
maror
"Bitter;" the bitter herb or vegetable (i.e., horseradish) eaten during the seder to symbolize the bitter plight of the enslaved Israelites.
matzah
Unleavened bread eaten during the seder that symbolizes the hurried departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Eating matzah is obligatory only at the seder. During the rest of Pesach, one may abstain from matzah as long as all chametz is avoided; plural: matzot
(the) Omer
The 49-day period that begins on the second night of Passover and ends on Shavuot.
Pesach
"Passover;" a major Jewish spring festival that commemorates the Israelites Exodus from Eqypt more than 3,000 years ago.
Seder
"Order;" ritual dinner that includes the retelling of the story of the Israelite's Exodus from Egypt; plural: s'darim.
Shabbat HaGadol
"Great Sabbath;" the Shabbat that precedes Passover.
shank bone
Item on the Passover seder plate that symbolizes the paschal sacrifice.