Happy Passover!

The Passover celebration begins today at sundown as Jewish communities around the world gather to tell the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.  Although I am not Jewish, I have many friends who are and I want to wish those of you out in blog-land a very blessed celebration.  

Family customs may vary the items served at the Sedar, but the following foods traditionally  appear on the Sedar plate: 

• Matzoh: Three unleavened matzohs are placed within the folds of a napkin as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving no time for dough to rise. Two are consumed during the service, and one (the Aftkomen), is spirited away and hidden during the ceremony to be later found as a prize. 

• Maror: bitter herbs, usually horseradish or romaine lettuce, used to symbolize the bitterness of slavery. 

• Charoses: a mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon, as a reminder of the mortar used by the Jews in the construction of buildings as slaves 

• Beitzah: a roasted egg, as a symbol of life and the perpetuation of existence. 

• Karpas: a vegetable, preferably parsley or celery, representing hope and redemption; served with a bowl of salted water to represent the tears shed. 

• Zeroah: traditionally a piece of roasted lamb shankbone, symbolizing the paschal sacrificial offering 

• Wine: four glasses of wine are consumed during the service to represent the four-fold promise of redemption, with a special glass left for Elijah the prophet.

Aren't these pretty tables?

Had to show you this kitty eating motzoh!

All images from Google.