maggid: Pesach / Matzah/ Maror

Before you complete the challenge, read the text below. This is the way.

These three foods - the essential symbols of the seder - are understood to be so important that Rabban Gamliel (a rabbi who lived in Israel in the first century, CE) taught that if we don’t talk about them, we haven’t really had a seder at all. Together, they track three different experiences of the Exodus over time:

1. The maror represents the bitterness of years of slavery - engrained into our collective consciousness.

2. The Pesach lamb (or shankbone) reflects the Israelite’s having marked their doorposts with blood on the night of the plague of the death of the first born - the final night of slavery. It is a symbol both of fear, and also of protection and hope - an outward sign of that for which we’re grateful.

3. The matzah reflects the rush toward freedom the next morning.

Another way of thinking of it: lifting up these three symbolic ritual items help us to recognize how we grow collectively through challenging moments. We act out this ritual in the traditional practice of holding each of them items up for all to see as we tell of their importance.

Activity: Seder Plate Essentials

First, set a timer for 2 minutes.

In this time, find three objects in your home that symbolize these different significant stages in your life:

• A time of challenge / fear / uncertainty

• A time of change

• A time of hope for the future

When you return to the game, collect 5 points for each item you found and brought back with you.

Now, set a new timer for 1 minute.

In this time, share how these items are connected and who the people were in your life at the time that helped you in each of these stages.

Collect an additional 10 points if you make it through before the timer goes off!