Blessing over the Matzo

Baruch Atah Adonoy, Elohenu melech halolam, hamotzee lechem meen haoretz.

Baruch atah Adonoy, Elohenu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav vitzeevanu al achelas matzo.

(Break the top piece and distribute it to the participants.)

Bitter Herbs

Now we eat the bitter herbs. The bitter herbs are eaten to remind us of the bitter times of slavery.

Hillel Sandwich

The sage, Hillel, began the tradition of dipping the bitter herbs into the charoses. The charoses traditionally represent the bricks used by the Israelites to build the Pharaoh’s cities. Because they are sweet, Hillel said it also represents hope. Eating the charoses with the bitter herbs reminds us of the hope for freedom that lessens the bitterness of slavery.

Orange

Finally, we introduce a new tradition, of the orange. We do this in honor of a modern legend which tells how an orthodox rabbi once remarked that a woman rabbi would be as appropriate as an orange on a seder plate. We celebrate our freedom to have women rabbis by eating the orange.(The meal is served.)