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1. How many times is maror served during the seder?

Maror, the bitter herbs, are served twice during the Passover seder. The first time, it is mixed with charoset (the fruit and nut paste that is a reminder of the mortar that the Israelite slaves were forced to make) to cut the sharp taste. The second time, it is placed between two pieces of matzah and it is served as Hillel's sandwich. This is how the great scholar Hillel served maror at his 1st century B.C.E. seder celebration.

2. How many Haggadahs are there in existence today?

The first hand made Haggadah appeared some time in the 13th century C.E. Since that time, well over 4,000 Haggadot have been published in all parts of the world. Many lavishly illustrated editions have become collector's items. One of my favorites is one of the early pop-up picture Haggadahs printed in the 1950s, where the pictures in the Haggadah literally pop right out of the page!

3. What are some of the variations in eating related to Sephardic and Ashkenazic practice?

On Passover, Sephardic Jews generally permit the use of rice, corn, and leguminous plants such as peas and beans (kitniyot in Hebrew). Syrian Jews eat fresh peas and beans but not dried ones. Moroccans eat fresh green beans but for the most part forbid the use of rice and dried beans. Ashkenazim prohibit the consumption of rice and leguminous foods on Passover, primarily out of fear that if these items were ground up to make flour, the flour might be mistaken for one of the five biblical grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, and rye) and would be used to bake matzah, in violation of Jewish law.

4. I once went to a seder where the leader wore white? Can you tell me why?

The kittel, the name for the white festive robe, was worn on joyous occasion in ancient times. The book of Leviticus describes the white garment worn by the Kohen Gadol (high priest) when he officiated in Temple times. Among Ashkenazim, the leader often wears a white kittel, a symbol that adds majesty to the proceedings.

5. What is the symbolism of the roasted egg on the seder plate?

A hardboiled, unshelled roasted or browned egg is one of the symbols on the seder plate. It serves as a reminder of the regular festival sacrifice brought in the days when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. In Hebrew, the sacrifice is known as korban chagiga ("holiday offering").

6. What's so important about having participants recline at the seder table?

When the Temple was in existence, it was customary for all participants at a seder to sit on the floor, propped up by pillows. When drinking each of the four cups of wine, they would lean to the left in the manner of free men, as they would while eating the meal. Today, the seder leader leans on a pillow placed next to him, symbolizing the emancipation of the Israelites and the exodus from Egypt.

7. What is the preferred color of wine to be used at the seder?

The Talmud considers red wine to be superior to white wine, and it is therefore the preferred choice. These days there are a variety of kosher for Passover wines that are made that are both red and white and of superior quality and taste.

8. Why toward the end of the seder meal do we open our doors for Elijah?

At the conclusion of the seder meal a special cup, known as the Cup of Elijah, is filled with wine. In Jewish tradition Elijah the Prophet represents the person who will usher in the Messianic Age, a time when peace will prevail throughout the world. Elijah, who is said in the Bible to have ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire (and therefore the rabbis imagined that he still lives) is a welcome guest at every seder, and to demonstrate that fact, at a specific time during the seder the front door of the house is opened to bid him welcome.

9. Are there any special end-of-Passover customs?

Yes there are. After the evening service on the last day of Passover, Sephardim conduct a variety of ceremonies. Syrian Jews take wheat stalks and pretend to beat each other with them to symbolize that the wheat (chametz) may not be eaten. Moroccan Jews celebrate the end of Passover with a Maimuna (Mimona), a colorful happy celebration during which a variety of sweet foods are served. I have also heard that at the end of Passover, Jews of the Soviet Ukraine often bake challot decorated with the keys made from challah dough. These are representations of the key to the "gate of release" from Egyptian bondage.

Rabbi Ron Isaacs is the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom, a Conservative congregation in Bridgewater. He has recently published biographies of Abraham Joshua Heschel and Judah Touro (Torah Aura Productions). Contact him at www.rabbiron.com or "Ask the Rabbi," c/o Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 6007, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.