Maror: Tasting the Bitter Herb

Dipping the bitter herb in sweet charoset | maror |מָרוֹר

In creating a holiday about the joy of freedom, we turn the story of our bitter history into a sweet celebration. We recognize this by dipping our bitter herbs into the sweet charoset. We don’t totally eradicate the taste of the bitter with the taste of the sweet… but doesn’t the sweet mean more when it’s layered over the bitterness?

God, we recognize your commandments and the ways in which we feel holy when we observe these commandments, especially one as difficult as eating this bitter herb.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who sanctifies us with mitzvoth and commands us to eat bitter herbs.


haggadah Section: Maror