Charoset

The charoset (Hebrew חרוסת ) ( Yiddish Charojses or Ch'rojses ) belongs to the traditional Sederessen that you always find on a Seder plate. Charoset is the only one of Sederspeisen a sweet taste.

In the Ashkenazim it is a mixture mainly of grated apples and nuts or almonds, which is made thin with sweet red wine and flavored with cinnamon. You may also raisins can belong.

The Sephardim give additionally figs, dates, raisins or orange juice added, because for them and their cuisine tropical fruits have traditionally been much more accessible.

Significance at the Seder

With its brown or gray color charoset reminds us of clay, from which the Jews in Egypt manufactured bricks. The apples are reminiscent of apple trees, under which Jewish women gave birth to their children in secret, to protect them against the Egyptians. The red wine in the mix again symbolized the blood of the circumcision, the blood of the Passover sacrifice and finally the blood of Jewish children who had assassinated the Pharaoh.

Charoset symbolizes so generally that life with death is inextricably linked, and hope with despair. Nothing that is sweet is sweet without end; and just now contains any bitterness - which symbolize the other Sederspeisen at the Passover - an assurance of future candy - aptly represents the charoset Seder it.