General Introduction

Torah laws according to Sefer Hakhinukh (all in Exodus 12 or 13):

• 6. * To eat the meat of the korban Pesach;
• 7. * Not to eat the korban Pesach raw or stewed;
• 8. * Not to leave any of the meat over (till morning).
• 10. To eat matza.
• 16. * Not to break any bones in the korban Pesach.
• 17. * No uncircumcised male may eat of the korban Pesach.
• 21. To relate the story of the Exodus.

  *These laws apply only when there is a Sanctuary, or at least an altar, so that the korban Pesach may be offered.

Mitzvot (precepts) currently applying on Seder Night:

Reclining; dipping and eating karpas; washing hands; breaking the matza and hiding part for the afikoman; a fixed version for the narration; a special blessing for eating the matza; dipping the maror into the haroset and eating it, with a special blessing; egg with salt; eating the afikoman; singing songs and reciting poems of praise and thanks.

Each of the mitzvot of the Seder has two aspects:

(a) A reminder of the slavery;
(b) A reminder of the liberation.

• Kiddush (as on every Sabbath and festival).
• Drinking four cups of wine (Rabbinic law).
• Eating maror (Rabbinic law).
• Eating matza (Torah law).
• Reading the story of the Exodus (Torah law).

The rabbis also established additional obligations, as follows (placed here in the order in which they are done):