The holiday of Passover is known as Zman Cheruteynu--the time of our freedom. And it is the Passover Seder, that most durable and popular of all Jewish practices, which is the pivotal component of this week-long "time of our freedom." The Seder itself is composed of fifteen carefully fashioned pieces. This Seder, like the emergent picture formed by the pieces of some fantastic jigsaw puzzle, is designed to create a vivid experiential image of what freedom is all about. But these are no ordinary puzzle pieces as this is no ordinary puzzle. This is a puzzle in which the pieces are affected by the way they are held. It is through the careful and precise handling of each piece that its inherent form begins to emerge. Further, it is our thoughts and understanding of the intrinsic nature of these rebus-like pieces which serve to reveal their true color, imagery, and light. Once assembled, they create a brilliant mosaic of freedom.

And what a spectacular creation this freedom can be. That sense of profound inner confidence and strength of character born of a conviction to pursue a meaningful, spiritual, and moral existence. The freedom of a Jewish soul. A soul guided by wisdom and inspired by everything we have ever stood for. This vibrant totality becomes visible through the piece by piece assembly of the Seder experience, and in turn works its way into the very fabric of our being.

The ideas which follow are merely a glimpse into the world of insight contained in each one of the fifteen pieces of the Passover puzzle. Thousands of volumes have been written, each one exploring another facet of Passover, the Haggadah, and the pieces of the Seder. It is my hope that the ideas related here will serve as a relevant starting point as you approach your experience at the Seder, your assembly of these marvelous pieces of wisdom and your Passover odyssey in freedom.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SEDER

From beginning to end, the Seder is comprised of fifteen specific experiences. These fifteen segments of the Seder follow a precise order and each comes with its own set of instructions.

It is a good idea for the leader of the Seder to take a few minutes and give a brief overview of these fifteen segments. This will provide people with a general framework for the Seder and give them a sense that the evening is following a purposeful pattern and not just wandering from ritual to ritual. It is also interesting to point out that the Hebrew word seder actually means order; and relates to the fact that the Seder follows a precise order, or pattern, which is embodied in these fifteen experiences. In fact, over the centuries many great scholars have revealed a wealth of ideas which illuminate a deeper meaning to these fifteen sequential experiences and how they are interrelated. Some of these ideas will be touched upon in the coming pages.

Before proceeding to kiddush, the blessing over the first cup of wine, it is customary for everyone at the Seder to sing or read the list of the fifteen observances.

1. KADESH: A special blessing is recited over a glass of wine or grape juice. This blessing speaks of the treasured role which all holidays play in Jewish life and makes particular reference to the unique opportunity embodied in Passover.

2. URECHATZ: Prior to eating the karpas (vegetable), everyone at the Seder washes their hands in the prescribed manner. Unlike the washing which will precede the eating of the matzah, no blessing is made at this point.

3. KARPAS: A small piece of vegetable is dipped in salt water and then eaten.

4. YACHATZ: The person leading the Seder takes the middle matzah and breaks it in half. The larger half becomes the afikomen and the smaller half is returned to its place.

5. MAGGID: This is the reading and discussion of the Haggadah text. At least half of the Seder is devoted to the telling of the exodus from Egypt. The emphasis here is on educating Jewish children as to the meaning of their history and identity as well as probing the text for ideas that relate to the theme of freedom.

6. RACHTZAH: After completing the Haggadah, everyone washes their hands before eating the matzah and beginning the meal. A blessing is recited by each individual after washing his or her hands.

7. MOTZI: This is the blessing said anytime one eats bread or matzah.

8. MATZAH: A piece of matzah is eaten in accordance with the commandment to eat matzah on the night of Passover. A blessing is recited before eating.

9. MAROR: A blessing is said, and the bitter herbs are eaten.

10. KORECH: Having just eaten matzah and bitter herbs separately, we now eat them together as a sandwich.

11. SHULCHAN ORECH: Finally! The festive Passover meal is enjoyed by all.

12. TZAFON: The afikomen, which had been hidden earlier, is now brought back and everyone eats a piece of matzah as their own personal afikomen.

13. BARECH: This blessing is said at the conclusion of every meal. Tonight it contains special references to Passover.

14. HALLEL: Reciting the songs of praise authored by King David. We pray that we have successfully fulfilled all the observances of the Seder.

15. NIRTZAH: We seal our hopes for a brighter future with the words, "Next year in Jerusalem."

The remaining portion of this article contains some of the ideas which underlie the fifteen Seder experiences. The leader of the Seder should be acquainted with their meaning before the evening begins. This will allow him to provide a brief explanation of each step as it arises. Alternatively, either the leader or various guests can read the appropriate explanations at the time of the observance.

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