Thou shalt tell thy son in that day saying, it is because of that which the LORD did for me when I went forth out of Egypt.








Rites & Symbols of the Seder




The Seder service is marked with special concern for the children. The unusual ceremonies and special foods are a stark contrast to every day meals, an the children are prompted to be curious and ask for an explanation. Then the oportunity to tell of Israel's deliverence from slavery and oppression in Egypt can be told, giving the children a strong impression and faith in God.




WINE




As in all Jewish ceremonials of rejoicing, such as the welcoming of the Sabbath and the festivals, the solemnizing of marriages, and the naming of a child, so at Seder, wine is used as a token of festivity. Mead, apple cider, any fruit juice, or especially unfermented raisin wine, are also commonly used.




the Four Cups




Each participant in the service is expected to drink four cups of wine. Even the poorest of the poor who subsist on charity were enjoinedto provide themselves with wine for the four cups. This number is determined by the four divine promises of redemption made to Israel in Exodus VI:6-7
V'hotzesi, V'hitzalti, V'goalti, and V'lokahti,
that is, bringing out of bondage, deliverence from servitude, redemption from all dependence in Egypt, and selection as "the people of the LORD". 
The first cup serves as Kiddush as on other holy days and on Sabbath; the second is taken at the conclusion of the first part of the Seder; the third follows the grace after the meal, and the last one comes at the end of the second part of the Seder.




the Cup of ELIJAH




The fifth promise of God (V'hevesi) to bring Israel into Canaan, which follows the four promises of redemption, gave rise to the question of the need of a fifth cup of wine in Seder. Popular belief left the decision of all mooted questions of law and ritual to the prophet Elijah, the central hero of Jewish legend. The popular mind believed this great champion of righteousness and of pure worship of God to be immortal, and viewed him as the forerunner of the Messiah, whose task it would be - among other things - to announce the good tidings of peace and salvatin, to effect a union of hearts between parents and their children, to comfort the sorrowing, to raise the dead, and to establish the divine kingdom of righteousness on earth.


The fifth cup, the need of which was left to his decision, came to be known as the Cup of Elijah; and gave rise to the custom of opening the door during the Seder service, that the long awaited messenger of the final redemption of mankind from all oppression might enter the home as a most welcome guest. Generations were thus helped, in times of darkness and persecution, to keep in mind the Messianic era of freedom, justice, and good-will. Stripped of it's legendary form, it is still the hope for the realization of which Israel ever yearns and strives for.




MATZO


The unleavened bread or bread of afflictin reinds us of the hardships that the Jews endured in Egypt, and the haste with which they departed thence. Having no time to bake their bread, they had to rely for fod upon sun-baked dough which they carried with them.




Watercress or Parsley


either of these greens is suggestive f the customary oriental relish and is used as a token of gratitude to God for the products of the earth. The purpose for dipping it in salt water or vinegar is to make it palatable.




MOROR


The bitter herb - a piece of horseradish - represents the embittered life of the Israelites in Egypt.




HAROSES


This mixture of apples, blanched almonds (or walnuts) and raisins finely chopped and flavored with wine and cinnamon, was probably originally a condiment. Owing to it's appearance, it came to be regardedas representing the clay with which the Israelites made bricks, or the mortar used in the great structures erected by the bondmen of Egypt.




The Roasted Shank-bone


is an emblem of the Paschal Lamb.




The EGG


A roasted egg is the symbo of the free-will burnt-offering brought on every day of the feast, during the existence of the Temple in Jerusalem.




APHIKOMON


Aphikomon is derived from the Greek, meaning after meal or  desert. The origin of this custom must be traced to the Paschal lamb which was eaten on Passover night. It was customary to reserve a small portion of the lamb to be eaten at the close of the meal. When sacrifices had ceased, a piece of the matzo was eaten instead. The Aphikomon, hidden early in the Seder, is left to the end of the meal, in order that the children may be kept alert during the entire service. In connection with this, a sort of game of paying forfeits originated. The head of the family pretends not to notice when the children sneak off with the Aphikomon, and hide it. They will not give it back until the master of the house gives them a small gift, then the meal is concluded.