These Seder plates will make your Passover table shine
The Seder is a Passover ritual that each spring recalls the exodus of enslaved Hebrews from Egypt. Seder plates traditionally hold six items symbolizing elements of the Hebrews’ experience with slavery. Many Seder plates have indentations to keep the items separated. Some modern plates are made of plastic or paper, but you can still find elegant metal or glass plates as well.
Seder plate considerations
What goes on a Seder plate?
The six indentations in the Seder plate hold six items.
Karpas: This is typically a leafy green vegetable such as parsley. It’s meant to symbolize hope and is often dipped in vinegar or saltwater, which symbolize tears as a reminder of the pain incurred by enslaved Hebrews.
Maror and chazeret: Maror symbolizes the bitterness of Hebrew slavery. It is often represented by horseradish or a bitter herb. Some use romaine lettuce in addtion to maror; the leaves aren’t bitter, but the stem is.
Charoset: This sweet mixture of fruit and nuts represents the mortar used by the enslaved Hebrews in building structures for the pharaoh. Some people eat the charoset separately as well as dipping the maror in their charoset, mixing sweetness with the bitternes.
Zeroa: This is typically a shank bone or piece of roasted meat, though vegetarians may use a roasted beet. It represents the lamb that was sacrificed on the eve of the exodus.
Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg symbolizing the festival sacrifice, a pre-holiday offering made in biblical times. Many dip this in the saltwater or vinegar.
Other optional items: New Passover traditions have sprouted in recent years. Some people place an orange to represent the empowerment of marginalized groups within the Jewish community. Others include an olive as a symbol of hope and peace.
Material
If you’re looking for a Seder plate that’s built to last, consider pewter or metal. These are often plated with silver and feature ornamental designs. If you’re celebrating with children, you may want to avoid using a glass plate. Those made of plastic or paper are child-friendly, since they’re less likely to break if dropped.
Disposable Seder plates are an excellent choice for multiple guests, as they let you give each person their own. Glass Seder plates are contemporary and can be decorated with intricate patterns or designs. However, glass is fragile, so handling these plates with care is essential.
Size
Seder plates come in a variety of sizes. If you’re celebrating with those in your household, a single, normal-sized Seder plate should be more than enough. If you’re celebrating with a large group of family and friends, you may want to use a large one or buy a set of compact Seder plates.
Some sets come with six small plates, each meant to hold a different Seder item. These sets are great if you have limited table space.
Design
Many Seder plates feature understated designs with floral accents. Often, each section of the plate is labeled in Hebrew and English; some feature illustrations of the item it will hold. If you’re getting a Seder plate for a child, consider one with a colorful design and pictures. If you plan to save the plate and pass it down, consider one with ornamental accents and a contemporary design.
Best seder plates
The Dreidel Company Complete Passover Set: available at Amazon
This set comes with a Seder plate, kiddush cup, matzah cover and Haggadah. The silver-coated Seder plate is built to last.
The Dreidel Company Passover Seder Plate: available at Amazon
This features a traditional design with floral accents. It is made of melamine plastic, which many reviewers said is durable.
Rite Lite Glass Seder Plate: available at Amazon
This glass plate has an elegant design with silver and floral accents. The indentations are labeled in English and Hebrew.
Zion Judaica Melamine Passover Plate: available at Amazon
This has separate sections for each Seder plate item, each labeled in Hebrew. It is available in three designs, and you can buy up to six in a set.
The Dreidel Company Passover Seder Plate Set: available at Amazon
These plates are made of durable plastic. Each section features an image and label. You can buy up to 50 in a set.
The Dreidel Company Melamine Renaissance Seder Plate: available at Amazon
This features an understated design with blue accents. The six indentations are labeled in Hebrew. The plastic is lightweight but sturdy.
Pandecor Paper Seder Plates: available at Amazon
This set comes with 50 paper Seder plates so everyone can have their own. They are relatively small and don’t have indentations, but they have six labeled sections for Passover items.
Ner Mitzvah Pewter Passover Seder Plate: available at Amazon
This pewter plate features an elegant design with six indentations labeled in Hebrew. It is sturdy and can be passed down from generation to generation.
Cazenove Passover Seder Plates: available at Amazon
These plastic Seder plates feature colorful designs and labeled sections. The set comes with 10 plates.
Rite Lite Jerusalem Seder Plate: available at Amazon
This features a colorful depiction of Jerusalem. Each section is labeled in Hebrew and English and has a colorful gradient design. It is made of sturdy plastic.
Rite Lite Passover Glass Seder Plate Liners: available at Amazon
These glass liners let you turn any plate into a Seder plate. They stack neatly, so you can store them to use next year.
Rite Lite Passover Kids Seder Plate: available at Amazon
This has a colorful design that children will surely love. It’s made of a child-friendly plastic, and its compact size is perfect for kids.
Worth checking out
This Cazenove Paper Seder Plate Set is a perfect way to give everyone their own plate.
This plastic Seder plate features a simple floral design with labeled indentations.
If you’re looking for a Seder plate built to last, you can’t go wrong with this metal one.
This set comes with 48 paper Seder plates.
The Zion Judaica Passover Renaissance Collection includes a Seder plate, a matzo tray, an afikoman bag and a matzo cover.
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