Maror (Bitter Herb)

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This is a small illustration from the Golden Haggadah showing the ritual Maror which is eaten at the Passover ceremony. Passover is a Jewish festival that commemorates the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The Haggadah is the book that tells this story, and it is read during the Passover meal (or seder). Maror is Hebrew for bitter herb - Jews normally use horseradish. The harsh flavour of the herb symbolises the suffering of the Jews in Egypt. The horseradish is sliced or grated for Passover, and is one of several unusual foods on the Seder plate that symbolise different parts of the Passover story.