Common words and phrases
you'll hear during
passover & Unleavened bread


  • Afikomen — Afikomen comes from a Greek word meaning “dessert.”  It's usually eaten at the end of the seder meal.  But what makes this so special?  During the seder, you take three pieces of matzo, take the middle piece out, break it, wrap it in cloth and hide it.  It stays hidden for a time, and then usually the children will go search for it.  The child who finds it receives a reward, usually silver coins (quarters or dimes), and the matzo is ransomed back. It's Jesus.  It's literally Jesus right there!  The three pieces of matzo - Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  The middle (Son) is taken out and broken for you.  Matzo is striped and even has tiny pierces through.  By His stripes we are healed, and he was pierced for our transgressions.  His body is wrapped, but then brought back and "ransomed" for 30 pieces of silver.  It's Yeshua, and it's beautiful. This is done in every traditional seder meal, even by those who have no idea it's Jesus.  It all points to Him.  May we pray that the scales are lifted from their eyes and they come to see Him as Messiah.
  • Chag sameach — Have a happy holiday! (Hebrew)
  • Charoset or Haroset - A sweet mixture of nuts and apples on the seder plate that symbolizes the mortar used by slaves in Egypt.
  • Chazaret - The commandment to eat bitter herbs with the Passover sacrifice is found in Exodus 12:8 and Numbers 9:20.  Since the Bible says, "herbs" with an 'S', chazeret is the second bitter herb served. 
  • Dayenu — Hebrew for “enough for us".  This is one of the songs sung at the Passover seder that tells of all the miracles God performed for the Israelites.  YOUTUBE LINK
  •  Haggadah — Hebrew for “telling” or “recounting".  A Haggadah is the book that is used to tell the story of the Exodus at the seder. There are many versions available.  We use a Messianic Haggadah, but you could even make your own!
  • Hametz — Bread or any food that has been leavened or contains a leavening agent.  Hametz is prohibited on Passover and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
  • Haroset or Charoset — A sweet mixture of nuts and apples on the seder plate that symbolizes the mortar used by slaves in Egypt.
  • Karpas - Karpas (usually parsley) is the non-bitter vegetable you will commonly find on the seder plate.
    This is one of the foods that was added by man for traditional purposes.  It is supposed to be leafy and green to represent hope and a new life for the Hebrews, freed from slavery.
  • Maror — Hebrew for bitter herbs.  The herbs (usually horseradish), symbolize the bitterness of life under Egyptian rule.  The commandment to eat bitter herbs with the Passover sacrifice is found in Exodus 12:8 and Numbers 9:20. 
  • Matzah or Matzo — Unleavened bread. According to the Bible the Israelites ate matzah right before they left Egypt. Today matzah is eaten during Passover to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt.
  • Pesach —Hebrew for “pass over.”
  • Seder — Hebrew for “order.” The Passover ritual where family and friends gather on the first one or two nights of Passover to retell the story of the Exodus. The story is told in a particular order, with specific rituals.
  • Zeroa — Shank bone. The bone is placed on the seder plate and recalls the blood on the doorposts and the terror and the anticipation of the night of the plague of the first born.