THE LEADER LIFTS UP THE MATZAH AND SAYS:

“Why  Do We Eat Matzah?  Because there was not enough time for the dough to rise when their redemption came.  As the Holy Scriptures say, “…and they baked the dough, which they had brought out of Egypt, into Matzah cakes; for it had not risen, because they had been driven out of Egypt and could not tarry nor prepare food.”

Unleavened bread is also very practical for travel.  A pound of Matzah takes up half the space of a pound of bread, is twice as filling and never spoils.

THE THREE MATZOS, THE “UNITY,” ARE  HELD UP AND THE FOLLOWING BLESSING IS RECITED BY ALL:

“Blessed  art Thou, O  Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.”

EACH ONE NOW BREAKS OFF AN OLIVE SIZE PIECE OF MATZAH.  ALL RECEITE THE FOLLOWING BLESSING IN UNISON:

“Blessed art Thou, O Lord  our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the eating of unleavened bread.”

ALL EAT TOGETHER OF THE MATZAH.

MAROR

THE LEADER LIFTS UP THE MAROR AND SAYS;

“Why do we eat Maror?  Because of the bitter life of hard labor, making bricks for the Egyptians.  The bitter herb speaks of the sorrow, persecution and suffering of our people under the hand of Pharaoh.  As the horseradish brings tears to our eyes, so did the great affliction of our forefathers bring tears to their eyes.”

Everyone takes an olive size piece of Matzah, scoop up the bitter herb, and recite together the following blessing:

“Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the eating of bitter herbs.”

ALL EAT THE MAROR TOGETHER.

KORECH

EVERYONE BREAK OFF TWO OLIVE SIZE PIECES OF MATZAH.  MAKING A “SANDWICH,” PLACE THE CHAROSET WITH A LITTLE BITTER HERBS BETWEEN THE TWO PIECES.  (It is optional to eat the charoset without the bitter herbs.)  THIS IS CALLED THE “HALLEL SANDWICH.”

ALL EAT THE CHAROSET TOGETHER.

Just as the wine is a symbol of blood, the salt water a symbol of tears, the bitter herbs a symbol of suffering, the greens a symbol of hyssop, so it is that the charoset is a symbol of mortar representing the bricks which were made by our people in Egypt.

THIS CONCLUDES THE CEREMONIAL MEAL.