Seder Pillows
Seder Pillows
Seder Pillows are a necessary Judaica item for the Jewish holiday of Passover. Pesach is the holiday which tells the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt after years of enslavement. There are many Jewish traditions associated with the recitation of the Passover story. It is customary for Jews to tell this story by reading it from a Haggadah book. The story is told over a Seder, a festive Passover meal, with specific Seder pillows. In Israel, only one Seder is performed on the first night of Pesach. Outside of Israel, a second Seder is done the second night of the Passover holiday.
The Passover Seder is full of rich traditions developed and passed on from generation to generation. Important elements of the Seder include the Haggadah, Passover meal, and Seder pillows. The Passover meal consists of four cups of wine and six Seder ingredients on a Seder plate. Each ingredient represents something to relate to the Jews' experience of enslavement. The Passover Seder is a night different from all other nights. During the Passover meal, it is customary to lean on a pillow to represent freedom and comfort in contrast to the Jews in Egypt who were enslaved. This Seder pillow tradition symbolizes that Jews are now free to sit straight or lean on a Seder pillow as we wish.
Seder pillows can come in a variety of materials and designs. A decorative pillow is commonly used as a Seder pillow for the Passover meal. Any pillow may be used as a Seder pillow. Seder pillows for Pesach commonly feature embroidered design and Hebrew text. Hebrew text on Seder pillows often reads 'on this night we lean.' Other Seder pillow designs feature an image of the Passover Seder plate with the six spots for Seder foods. If you have any questions about Seder Pillows and Passover rituals, feel free to Contact Us.
Seder Pillows Guide
Seder pillows hold a special place in Passover practices, in particular for those who hold religion close during the Jewish holidays. These unique parts of the Seder represent an ancient tradition of Jewish culture and seem outdated to some, but there are several reasons that the history of the Seder pillow has been kept alive for the celebration of Passover.
What are Seder Pillows?
Seder pillows are part of an ancient tradition that helps Jews celebrate the Exodus from Egypt. The pillows themselves are just like pillows you might find on your couch or bed but they are made especially for the tradition of “leaning” to eat during Passover. These pillows were originally meant to be leant on with the left arm while you ate with the right. It was decided to lean on the left arm because in this way, food going down your throat would put no pressure on the wind pipe which is in the right side of the throat. Eating in this way has become uncomfortable with modern chairs and utensils, so most make do by leaning on the pillow in any way possible.
Religious Tradition
The tradition of “leaning” was begun upon the Jews exit from slavery in Egypt. Leaning on one arm while eating was long considered a habit of the wealthy and the comfortable. Jews began to use this as a way of celebrating the fact that they could be at ease as free men. Now their Seder meals could never be interrupted by a master to come and oppress them.
As Passover was the Jewish holiday to mark the Exodus, “leaning” became especially encouraged during the Seder dinner. Unfortunately as time went on the chair and fork were invented making it slightly difficult both to “lean” and also to eat with one hand. There were many attempts at adjusting these new technologies in order to continue “leaning.”
For a while, families were having their food specially prepared in order to eat by hand so that they could still lean. Others have even taken to eating in a lawn chair during Passover, but most simply sit in a normal chair and keep a Seder pillow behind them to symbolize leaning keeping their Passover religiously kosher.
Material and Design
Seder pillows are meant to make the “leaning” experience both more comfortable and much finer with often meaningful symbolism and rich materials. Such pillows can be made of nearly any material imaginable but they are generally made with satin or silk for the finest Seder dinner. These rich materials are generally designed with meaningful images such as those of Seder plates or Hebrew words and blessings. Whatever your taste and needs for “leaning” There is sure to be a Seder pillow to enhance your holiday.
For More Information
For more information about Jewish holidays, Passover or any other Judaica items, feel free to contact our Judaica experts with any questions or concerns.
Description
Seder Pillows
Seder Pillows are a necessary Judaica item for the Jewish holiday of Passover. Pesach is the holiday which tells the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt after years of enslavement. There are many Jewish traditions associated with the recitation of the Passover story. It is customary for Jews to tell this story by reading it from a Haggadah book. The story is told over a Seder, a festive Passover meal, with specific Seder pillows. In Israel, only one Seder is performed on the first night of Pesach. Outside of Israel, a second Seder is done the second night of the Passover holiday.
The Passover Seder is full of rich traditions developed and passed on from generation to generation. Important elements of the Seder include the Haggadah, Passover meal, and Seder pillows. The Passover meal consists of four cups of wine and six Seder ingredients on a Seder plate. Each ingredient represents something to relate to the Jews' experience of enslavement. The Passover Seder is a night different from all other nights. During the Passover meal, it is customary to lean on a pillow to represent freedom and comfort in contrast to the Jews in Egypt who were enslaved. This Seder pillow tradition symbolizes that Jews are now free to sit straight or lean on a Seder pillow as we wish.
Seder pillows can come in a variety of materials and designs. A decorative pillow is commonly used as a Seder pillow for the Passover meal. Any pillow may be used as a Seder pillow. Seder pillows for Pesach commonly feature embroidered design and Hebrew text. Hebrew text on Seder pillows often reads 'on this night we lean.' Other Seder pillow designs feature an image of the Passover Seder plate with the six spots for Seder foods. If you have any questions about Seder Pillows and Passover rituals, feel free to Contact Us.
Seder Pillows Guide
Seder pillows hold a special place in Passover practices, in particular for those who hold religion close during the Jewish holidays. These unique parts of the Seder represent an ancient tradition of Jewish culture and seem outdated to some, but there are several reasons that the history of the Seder pillow has been kept alive for the celebration of Passover.
What are Seder Pillows?
Seder pillows are part of an ancient tradition that helps Jews celebrate the Exodus from Egypt. The pillows themselves are just like pillows you might find on your couch or bed but they are made especially for the tradition of “leaning” to eat during Passover. These pillows were originally meant to be leant on with the left arm while you ate with the right. It was decided to lean on the left arm because in this way, food going down your throat would put no pressure on the wind pipe which is in the right side of the throat. Eating in this way has become uncomfortable with modern chairs and utensils, so most make do by leaning on the pillow in any way possible.
Religious Tradition
The tradition of “leaning” was begun upon the Jews exit from slavery in Egypt. Leaning on one arm while eating was long considered a habit of the wealthy and the comfortable. Jews began to use this as a way of celebrating the fact that they could be at ease as free men. Now their Seder meals could never be interrupted by a master to come and oppress them.
As Passover was the Jewish holiday to mark the Exodus, “leaning” became especially encouraged during the Seder dinner. Unfortunately as time went on the chair and fork were invented making it slightly difficult both to “lean” and also to eat with one hand. There were many attempts at adjusting these new technologies in order to continue “leaning.”
For a while, families were having their food specially prepared in order to eat by hand so that they could still lean. Others have even taken to eating in a lawn chair during Passover, but most simply sit in a normal chair and keep a Seder pillow behind them to symbolize leaning keeping their Passover religiously kosher.
Material and Design
Seder pillows are meant to make the “leaning” experience both more comfortable and much finer with often meaningful symbolism and rich materials. Such pillows can be made of nearly any material imaginable but they are generally made with satin or silk for the finest Seder dinner. These rich materials are generally designed with meaningful images such as those of Seder plates or Hebrew words and blessings. Whatever your taste and needs for “leaning” There is sure to be a Seder pillow to enhance your holiday.
For More Information
For more information about Jewish holidays, Passover or any other Judaica items, feel free to contact our Judaica experts with any questions or concerns.