A Seder, literally meaning “order” in Hebrew, is the traditional Passover meal that Jews hold on the first (and in the Diaspora, second) night of Pesach.
It’s not just dinner — it’s a deeply symbolic, structured experience full of storytelling, ritual, food, wine, prayer and reflection.
Here’s a closer look at what happens and why it’s so meaningful.
The Heart of the Seder — Symbolism & Purpose
At the Seder, participants re-live the Exodus from Egypt: the story of slavery, miracles, redemption and freedom.
The evening centres on the Haggadah, a special guidebook that leads you through the story of the Exodus, the ten plagues, and the journey to liberation.
Each person at the Seder should feel as though they themselves were leaving Egypt — a personal, emotional connection to the story.
What You Eat & Drink — The Symbolic Menu
- Four cups of wine — central to the Seder’s structure and symbolism.
- Matzah — flat, unleavened bread, eaten to remind us of the haste of the Exodus.
- Bitter herbs (maror) — often horseradish or lettuce, to symbolise the bitterness of slavery.
- Charoset — a sweet paste of nuts, apples, pears and wine, used in some rituals.
- Vegetable dipped in salt water — known as karpas, to represent tears and hardship.
- A festive meal — after the ritual foods, a celebratory dinner takes place.
These foods are placed on a Seder plate (ka’arah), each with a specific symbolic meaning.
The 15 Traditional Steps of the Seder
- Kadesh – reciting Kiddush over the first cup of wine.
- Urchatz – washing hands (without the usual blessing at this point).
- Karpas – dipping a vegetable in salt water.
- Yachatz – breaking the middle matzah in two.
- Maggid – telling the story of the Exodus (reading from the Haggadah).
- Rachtzah – washing hands again (this time with a blessing).
- Motzi & Matzah – blessing and eating the matzah.
- Maror – eating the bitter herbs.
- Korech – the “Hillel sandwich” (matzah + maror).
- Shulchan Orech – the actual festive meal.
- Tzafun – eating the afikoman (a hidden piece of matzah).
- Berach – blessings after the meal, including wine.
- Hallel – songs of praise.
- Nirtzah – concluding the Seder with a hope for next year in Jerusalem.
Why the Seder Matters
- Connection to the past: By eating symbolic foods and reading the Haggadah, we connect with our ancestors’ journey, placing ourselves in the story.
- Freedom & gratitude: The Seder isn’t just about remembering slavery — it’s a celebration of freedom, divine intervention, and community.
- Engaging generations: The Seder is designed to provoke curiosity — the “Four Questions” spark conversation and learning.
- Spiritual rhythm: Every step, every food, and every blessing has meaning. It’s a beautiful, choreographed way to reflect on redemption.
Why Celebrating the Seder at Unico Hotels Might Be Truly Special
- A beautifully set-up space for a Seder, with room for families or groups
- Fully kosher, Passover-friendly meals (including Seder-appropriate food)
- A calm, welcoming environment to reflect, connect and celebrate
- A warm hospitality that respects and honours Jewish traditions
If you’re planning for Passover, we’d love to host you — join us for a Seder you’ll remember. Check out our Pesach 2026 in Margate packages.