All About Dipping

There were a number of people who asked me about differences in the way the Seder is conducted by Ashkenazim and S'fardim. As I myself am Ashkenazi, I cannot claim to be an expert of the minhagim, the customs, of Sefardim. In fact, to my understanding, there are different customs depending what country the family is from ( for example Syria, Spain/Portugal, & Morocco) However, I spoke to the Rabbi Michael Azose, rabbi of a major Sefardic shul in Chicago, who related the following differences to me. Sefardim only make a blessing of Hagafen on the first and third cups of wine at the Seder, as opposed to Ashkenazim who make the blessing of Hagafen before each of the four cups. Another difference is the order of the questions of the Mah Nishtana. Sefardim have the following order of questions:

1. Why do we dip?
2. Why do we only eat Matza?
3. Why do we eat Maror?
4. Why do we recline?

Ashkenazim follow this order:

1. 1) Why do we only eat Matzo?
2. 2) Why do we eat maror?
3. 3) Why do we dip?
4. 4) Why do we recline?

I consulted other sources and found out that some Sefardim do not open the door when Shfoch Chamascha is said. Some do not say the songs contained in Nirtza, and conclude the Seder with Chasal Sidur Pesach. Some, after the matzo is broken by Yachatz, take the piece to be used as the Afikoman, throw it over their sholder, and say the verse located in Shmos 12: 34. If there are any Sefardim, or people who observe minhagim and customs other than that of Ashkenazim, please send in descriptions of these customs, and I hope to include them in the next special edition.

In posting # 4, we discussed the passage of Ha Lachma Anya. There were readers who wanted an explanation of how the three parts of the passage connected to each other:

1. The declaration about the Matzo being poor man's bread;
2. Extending an invitation to the needy;
3. Declaring our present status as being in exile, and that next year we will be free in Jerusalem.