One of the most important traditions of Passover is the Seder dinner. Find out what a Seder is and the guidelines to adhere to when hosting one of these meals.

The central ritual of Passover is the Seder. The word Seder means “order”, and is a carefully choreographed meal that takes place in the home. The Seder follows the steps laid out in a book called the Haggadah.

A number of symbolic foods are laid out on the table, of which the most important is the matzah. Matzah (or matzo, matza, matzoh) is unleavened bread eaten to commemorate the haste with which the Jews had to leave Egypt--there was not even enough time to let their bread rise.

As Passover is primarily a family holiday, most extended families come from near and far to gather in one home for the Seder. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors are all invited. As it is written in the Haggadah, “let all who are hungry come and eat.” At the traditional Seder table, no matter how many people are gathered, there is always room for one more.

All food at the Seder must be kosher for Passover. Foods that include any leavened products such as bread, cake, cookies, pasta or beer is considered chametz and are prohibited throughout the holiday. Passover could be seen as a holiday of restrictions of prohibitions because of this, but it is actually celebrated as a time of freedom, choices and opportunity. Favorite foods such as macaroons, matzo brei and matzo ball soup return each year to the plates of happy families everywhere.

For more great Kosher recipes, please visit our Passover Recipe section.