(3.) Utensils which have been used for chamets are put away, and replaced by new ones, or by such as have exclusively been kept for Passover. Some vessels used during the year may be used for Passover, after having undergone a certain process called kasher;[71] i.e., “fitting” them as vessels for use on Passover. [[379]]
(4.) Although the articles of food that are directly forbidden as chamets are very few, there are a great many things that contain an admixture of chamets, and those “who fear the word of the Lord” use during Passover only those articles of food concerning which there is no doubt whatever that they are perfectly free from chamets. Articles of food for Passover are therefore only bought of persons who can be trusted to hold these observances in respect.
In addition to the commandments of the Passover-offering and the unleavened bread, there is a special duty, mentioned four times in the Pentateuch, for the Israelite to relate to his children the history of the departure from Egypt, and to explain to them the meaning of the several rites connected with the celebration of Passover. This duty is called haggadah, “relating,” and a service has been arranged for the purpose, called Seder, “the Order.” The first two evenings of Passover are therefore called “Seder-evenings,” and the book which contains this Service is generally called Haggadah.
The Seder-service contains four elements: (1) the relation of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt; (2) the festive meal, preceded by Kiddush and the partaking of bitter herbs and unleavened bread, and followed by Grace; (3) Hallel and other hymns; (4) the partaking of four cups of wine (arba kosoth).[72] [[380]]
The head of the family or his substitute who reads the Service has before him on the table: (1) three unleavened cakes (matsoth);[73] (2) bitter herbs and [[381]]other vegetables;[74] (3) salt water, in which the vegetables (karpas) are dipped before they are eaten, and charoseth, a mixture of apples, almonds, various spices, especially cinnamon, and wine, in which mixture the bitter herbs are dipped;[75] (4) a bone with some meat on it and an egg,[76] both roasted.
The order of the Service is indicated in most [[382]]editions of the Haggadah in rhymed Hebrew as follows:—
קדש ורחַץ . כרפס יחַץ . מגיד רחַץ . מוציא מצָה.
שלחן ערֵךְ . מרור כרֵךְ . צפון ברֵךְ . הלל נרצָה׃
The following is the explanation of these lines:—
1. קדש Say Kiddush. See above, page 379.