Passover 10

So why does the Talmud see lettuce as the preferred choice for Maror? While it is true that wild lettuce (also known as "opium lettuce", as it contains a mild narcotic) is extremely bitter, it is listed as the least preferable of the five species in the Talmud. The Talmud itself points out that cultivated lettuce is sweet, not bitter. One explanation given is that if not harvested early, it does turn bitter. Thus, it is a fit species for Maror, even when used young. That would seem to be a problematic idea. If the intent of the Torah was to experience a bitter taste, what does it matter if it would eventually turn bitter? Right now, it is not! Another explanation, in my opinion, makes far more sense. The Torah tells us that the Israelites were a welcome group in Egypt...at first. Then they began to be oppressed with hard labor. According to the Midrash, they VOLUNTEERED to do Pharaoh's building projects, in order to curry favor with the Egyptians. The volunteer work eventually became compulsory. So, our ancestors' stay in Egypt began as sweet, eventually becoming so bitter, as to make it intolerable. Lettuce is a perfect metaphor for that process! It begins as sweet, then gets a "tang" to it, until it is unbearably bitter. The Seder is a kind of psychodrama, portraying past, present and future. The lettuce is a symbol of slavery, not of freedom. It foretells a bitter end for those adopting the ways of the oppressor. It reminds us to beware of traps that now seem sweet, but bear the threat of destruction. Unlike the matzah, which we lean when eating it to show the freedom of the wealthy (who would recline at meals), the Maror is eaten without leaning. It is a warning, rather than a celebration. This pattern has often repeated itself; with Jews becoming very involved in a society. only to have that same society oppress them. We also adopt, as individuals, unfortunate habits and behaviors, not really thinking of where they lead. The lettuce Maror thus reminds us of the fact that bitter may begin as sweet. Another explanation, offered by historians, derives from the fact that in the Assyrian language (a cousin of Hebrew) "Mariru" actually meant lettuce. The command in the Torah to eat the Paschal lamb with matzah and Maror may simply mean "with matzah and lettuce", with the bitterness idea being a later interpretation. Lamb with lettuce was a common Spring delicacy in the ancient Middle East. (think of lamb with mint for Easter in Christian tradition). Thus, the word "Maror", though meaning "lettuce", serves ironically as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery. This ties in very well with the command of the Torah to take the lamb into our homes several days before the Passover of the Exodus. The lamb was sacred to the Egyptians. On the one hand, we were boldly showing the Egyptians that we are about to slaughter their god as a sacrifice. On the other hand, the Israelites were being called upon to negate idolatry within their minds and hearts. The very symbol of Egyptian paganism would be the tool to negate those doctrines! Thus, we eat the lettuce; essentially saying that the superficial symbol of the sweetness of Spring, bears a significant message that not all that glitters is gold. Egypt was a great civilization, whose efforts centered around hedonism...and death. In gematria (Hebrew numerology), the letters of Maror do, indeed, equal "death".That is the lesson of Maror.
Many who use lettuce as maror insist upon Romaine lettuce. This type has been used since at least Talmudic times. However, most rabbis allow any variety of lettuce. Some actually prefer other types, which are often somewhat bitter. At the Seder, we eat a k'zayit (Olive's bulk) of Maror twice; once by itself, after the eating of matzah, and then again in a "sandwich" of Matzah and Maror.  In my next post, I will go through the order of the Seder, with some of its symbols and meanings.