More than just Passover: The Symbols of the Seder Plate - Rabbi Joel Nickerson

At the center of the Passover seder experience sits a plate. It is used only once during the year, and it is adorned with foods that symbolize the central themes associated with the holiday. The word for seder plate in Hebrew is 'ka'arah' and within the ancient rabbinic mindset, that word connected the seder plate to more than just Passover - it was a representation of the entire world. The plate laid out symbols of opportunity and challenge, of hope and despair; of curses and blessings. If the seder plate is supposed to resemble elements of our world, then it's important that we spend some time re-evaluating the symbolism behind each element on the plate, making sure that they correspond with issues or concepts that resonate with our lives today.  In that spirit, the following are my personal interpretations (at least, for this year) of the symbols on the seder plate, as well as guiding questions that you may choose to use at your own seder.Each week, a member of the clergy offers their personal perspective on a topic of their choice, such as the week's Torah portion, a Jewish holiday, ritual, custom, or history. Facebook: Wilshire Boulevard TempleWebsite: wbtla.orgYoutube: Wilshire Boulevard TempleInstagram: wilshireboulevardtemple