The Riddle of Passover Egg

When Jews celebrate Passover today, the festive tables feature a special plate with traditional foods tased during the celebration. There are bitter herbs of several kinds to remember the bitterness of slavery in Egypt (Num 9:11). There is also a lamb bone to remember the sacrifice that was offered for the firstborn (Ex 12: 7-13). And to some people’s surprise, there is also an egg בֵּיצָה (beitzah) on the traditional Passover plates. The explanation you will often hear is that the egg represents the cycle of life. Some will reason that it is somehow tied to Springtime and renewal. That sounds as if the egg is a symbol of fertility, just like Easter bunnies. Why would an item like this end up on the Passover plate? What does it have to do with the Exodus story?

A roasted egg on a plate is a thoroughly Jewish symbol. It's not an Easter egg that got lost and ended up in the wrong neighborhood. And it has nothing to do with Spring or fertility. The answer is right in front of us. But we must know where to look to solve the riddle of the Passover egg.