Eggs at the seder – Ask the Rabbi
Q. Why is it an egg that represents the festival offering on the Seder plate?
A. Though the egg is mentioned in the Talmud (Pes. 114b), a piece of meat could also have recalled the festival offering. Why then an egg? Some link the egg with the Pesach theme of redemption:
• The egg hardens with cooking; the Jewish people never give in to persecution of adversity but end up being stronger.
• The egg has no opening; God closes the mouths of those who deny the redemption.
• The egg is a sign of new life; Pesach began the history of Israel as a people and the messianic redemption will begin the historic fulfilment of our destiny.
• In Aramaic an egg is be’ah, which is linked with a root meaning “desire”; the Almighty desires to redeem us if only we are worthy.
