Definition

Noun: 1. A ceremonial dinner: In Judaism, the Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach). It involves a specific order (the word "Seder" means "order" in Hebrew) of rituals, blessings, prayers, and the consumption of symbolic foods, all designed to retell the story of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Our family gathers every year for the Passover seder.
  • The Haggadah is the text that guides the rituals and readings during the seder.
  • A key part of the seder is the asking of the Four Questions by the youngest person present.

Advanced Usage

• "to host a seder": to be the one who organizes and leads the ceremonial dinner.
  • They invited many friends to their home to host a large seder.
• "seder plate": a special plate containing symbolic foods used during the Seder ritual (e.g., maror, charoset, a shank bone).
  • The seder plate is placed at the center of the table.

Variants and Related Words

• Passover (n): The Jewish holiday during which the Seder is held. Also called Pesach.
• Haggadah (n): The book containing the liturgy, stories, and instructions for the Seder.
• Matzah (n): Unleavened bread eaten during Passover and placed on the Seder table.

Synonyms

• Passover meal: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the holiday context.
• Pesach feast: Another term highlighting the holiday (Pesach) and the ceremonial nature of the event.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Next year in Jerusalem!": A traditional phrase recited at the conclusion of the Seder, expressing hope for future redemption.
  • The seder ended with everyone joyfully shouting, "Next year in Jerusalem!"

Noun

1. (Judaism) the ceremonial dinner on the first night (or both nights) of Passover