Chag Pesach Sameach! That is “happy Passover holiday” to those new to the Jewish celebration. This holiday is a week-long commemoration of the end of Jewish slavery in Egypt. The holiday is above all a celebration of freedom, but the main event is a traditional Jewish meal called the Seder.
As one of Arizona’s most popular New York-Style delis, Chompie’s offers an array of Jewish favorites. Everything from latkes to matzo ball soup are made with the utmost respect for Jewish tradition. We even offer a Passover menu with everything you need for celebrating the first night of Seder. Read our blog post below to learn more about Passover and how you celebrate.
What is Passover?
Passover originated in the Torah with the word “Pesach” which means Passover and refers to the ancient Passover sacrifice. The holiday is observed for seven days in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora, Jewish people living beyond Israel. It commemorates the Hebrew’s liberation in Egypt as well as the sparing of the Israelite’s firstborn children. Now, it is usually celebrated with great excitement, especially on the first night when a special family meal called the Seder is served.
What is Seder?
Seder is a feast marking the beginning of the Holiday. At the Seder , symbolic foods are eaten commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation. Prayers and traditional writings are recited from the Haggadah, a book of exodus, in a specific order. One tradition at the Seder is finding the Afikoman. The Afikoman is half of a matzah that is kept between two other matzahs during the Seder and later hidden for children to search for.
What Kind of Food Is Eaten for Passover?
Passover foods are unique. Beyond the usual rules of keeping kosher , there are special rules that apply to preparing food for Passover. During the entire duration of the holiday, it is forbidden to eat leavened food products. Because of this, Matzah, unleavened bread, is very common in Passover meals. There are several other symbolic foods eaten at the Seder including:
- Maror: Bitter herbs such as horseradish served as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery
- Saltwater: Saltwater symbolizes the tears of the slaves
- Charoset: This sweet paste is made of fruit and nuts, symbolizing the mortar the slaves used to build the Egyptian pyramids
- Zeroah: Zeroah is a shank bone, representing the Passover sacrifice
- Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg is eaten to symbolize the life of the spring season
- Karpas: A leafy green vegetable, usually a piece of lettuce, which symbolizes hope and redemption
- Wine: It is required to drink four cups of wine throughout the Seder
Enjoy Your Passover Dinner at Chompie’s!
Since 1979, Chompie’s has been the restaurant of choice for Arizonians looking for a kosher-friendly menu that serves items like latkes, matzo ball soup, knishes, and so much more. Our Passover menu offers options like House Made Chopped Liver and Old World Tzimmes. We are proud of our long history of service and look forward to creating experiences you won’t forget. Contact us today to place your order!
