Carolyn Ann

The bread was unleavened because the Jews had to leave Egypt in a hurry, and couldn’t take the time to let the bread rise. It comes from when Moses, in his quest to free the Jews from the being slaves of the Pharaoh, led them out into the desert on their forty year trek. The Egyptians were chasing them, which is why they didn’t have much time.

I’m guessing it took 40 years because Moses had a thing about asking for directions…

Carolyn Ann

Jews know what Easter is. It often happens within a few weeks of Passover. It might be that she thought the people were Christian, or it might have been a gesture, a simple gesture. Having had her Seder, she might have said, “come on over, let’s celebrate Easter!”

Horseradish is always at Seders; it comes in many varieties – some will knock your socks off, and others are quite mild. It’s often served with gefilte fish. The fish was often made from live fish (I’ve heard many a tale of fish swimming in the bathtub for a day or so. Before being turned into gefilte fish. (Transfish dining? Sorry – couldn’t resist.))

Zabars, in NYC, has a wonderful red horseradish that goes wonderfully with its gefilte fish. You can buy it, fresh but prepackaged, opposite the fish counter. (Expect to pay about $8 to $10 for enough fish for 2, and a few more dollars for the horseradish.) There’s a place in Phillie that sells a horseradish that should be classified as a weapon, it’s so potent. It might be in Cherry Hill, NJ, come to think of it. If I remember, I’ll ask at the next Seder – it’s in a couple of weeks, I think.

I don’t know where you got the whole “main course” thing from. Most main courses are brisket, turkey, potatoes and other kosher meats and veg. Lots of stuffing. Lots… The guests usually bring something toward the dinner, many opting to bring vast bowls of some wonderful (or dreadful) main course item. The horseradish and gefilte fish are appetizers, and often come as a course just before the matzoh-ball soup.

Depending upon the hosts, the seder is either religious, or not. It’s always accompanied by recitings from the Haggadah (some recite an entire Haggadah, some don’t), and contains quite a few fun moments. Or at least every Seder I’ve attended over the last two decades has had them. (I’ve attended a Seder every year for the last couple of decades.)

I don’t know about where you sit – in the Seder’s I’ve been to, it’s usually decided on where you’re standing when dinner is announced.

Passover is an important family holiday.

Just my thoughts on the subject
Carolyn Ann