The Seder

On the first night of the festival (and the second night too, unless the participants are Reform or living in Israel) a ritual meal called the Seder is served. The word seder simply means order, referring to the fact that the meal has a specific order of events. The meal revolves around the reading of the Haggadah, the story of the exodus from Egypt and from slavery. The foods eaten often have symbolic significance and represent various elements of the story.

Many families use the Pesach Seder as an opportunity to highlight some facet of modern life or struggle that needs to be addressed. Some place an empty chair at the table to symbolize those who are still in slavery.