10 plagues
What was the third plague?
Lice
On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzah; why, on this night, do we eat only matzah?"
We eat matzah because when our ancestors were told by Pharaoh that they could leave Egypt, they had no time to allow their bread to rise, so they baked it hurriedly, without giving the dough time to rise.
What is Beitzah
Egg
Why do we eat Beitzah?
The egg represents an offering.
What was the 7th plague?
Hail
"On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we only eat bitter herbs?"
At the Seder, we eat bitter herbs to remind us of the bitterness our ancestors experienced when they were oppressed as slaves.
What is Maror
Bitter Herbs
Why do we eat Maror?
To remind us of the bitter slavery our ancestors went through
What was the second plague
Frogs
"On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?"
At the Seder table, we dip food twice; once in salt water to remind us of the tears shed in slavery and again in haroset, to remind us that there is sweetness even in bitter times.
What is Karpas?
Parsley
Why do we eat Karpas?
This vegetable refers to the backbreaking work of the Jews as slaves
What is the 9th plague?
Darkness
"On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremony?"
In ancient times, slaves ate hurriedly, standing or squatting on the ground. Symbolically, as a sign of freedom, we lean and relax as we partake of wine and symbolic food. This physical act of reclining represents our transformation from slaves to free people--tonight, we are all royalty!
What is Charoset?
A combination of apples, walnuts, and red wine but any other answer that is accepted by host is good.
Why do we eat Charoset?
Because it resembles the weapons and brick made by the Jews when they worked for Pharaoh.
What was the 10th plague?
Death of the first-born son
What is Zeroa?
Shankbone
Why do we eat Zeroa?
Because of the offering to the temple in Jerusalem