Today we continue with the rest of the Seder Plate items.
The Charoset (a pasty mixture of fruits, nuts and wine) reminds us of the clay and mortar used by the Jewish slaves to make bricks and build cities. Mortar(like cement) is known for its strength and endurance, which represent the Sefira of Netzach. Yet the primary result of their hard work was that it taught the Jews to be strong and enduring in their faith.
The vegetable (Karpas)-usually a potato, onion or celery- grows low. It reminds us of the humility (Hod) required in life.
The Chazeret eaten in the sandwich represents the emotion of bonding (Yesod)- uniting us with those we love and with G-d. It’s not enough to experience each of the emotions independently, but also bond them together like in one sandwich.
Finally the Seder Plate itself is the dignity and sovereignty of Malchut,which encompasses all ten faculties. Malchut is selflessness, like the moon is not a light of its own but a reflection of the sun. The same is with the plate: without the three Matzahs and six items the plate is empty on its own. But it is precisely in this emptiness that it becomes the trey that encompasses all the others and the source of dignity. True dignity and self confidence comes from a sense that you were created in the Divine image, and being a channel of something greater than yourself gives you the ultimate dignity.
I hope these little insights give you a very special feeling during the Seder, you can share it with your loved ones to make the Seder more meaningful.
May you and all Am Israel be blessed with a transcendent Passover- one that will help you get rid of all your limitations and set you free . As you prepare the Seder plate remember the wise words of the Rebbe Rashab: ” Saddle Your Wagon”.
Chag Pesach Kosher Ve Sameach!!!
Adapted from Rabbi Simon Jacobson “The Seder Plate: A Microcosm of Your Psyche”
