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The participants in the Seder are seated comfortably, usually leaning on pillows. This is to symbolize the freedom of the Jewish people compared to their past enslavement. The Haggadah is read from throughout the Seder, and portions of it prompt certain actions.
Before the Seder begins, the Yom Tov (festival) candles are lit to signify the beginning of Passover. A bracha (blessing to God) is recited over the candles.
Throughout a Passover Seder, each participant drinks four cups of wine. It is common for children to substitute grape juice for wine. The Kiddush bracha is recited.
In traditional Jewish homes, it is common to ritually wash the hands before a meal. Usually, a bracha is recited, but the bracha is not recited at this point of the Seder.
Jews dip a green vegetable in vinegar or salt water (older custom: charoset) as a reminder of the tears of their enslaved ancestors.
The matzah, a flat, crispy, unleavened bread, is silently introduced in a stack of three, covered by a cloth. The middle matzah is broken in two. Half will be hidden later, as the afikomen, the dessert of the meal.
The matzot (plural of matzah) are uncovered, and referred to as the "bread of affliction". Jews assume the role of their enslaved ancestors, and acknowledge their enslavement, but express hope to be free. They also express an invitation to all who are hungry or needy to join in the Seder.
The story of Passover, and the change from slavery to freedom, are told in four different ways.
The first telling begins with the youngest child's recitation of the four questions, which are then answered by the Haggadah.
Ashkenazi version:
Mah nishtanah ha-lahylah ha-zeh mi-kol ha-layloht, mi-kol ha-layloht
How different is this night from all other nights!
The second telling begins with the questions asked by the "four sons". They each phrase the question "What is the meaning of this service?" in different ways. The four sons are characterized as being wise, being simple, being evil, or being too young to ask. The Haggadah says that the wise son, who inquires at length of the service, should be answered with the complete set of customs of the service. The wicked son, whose asks his father "What is this cult of yours?", isolates himself from the Jewish people. Therefore, he is rebuked by the explanation that "It is because God acted for my sake when I left Egypt." The one who is too young to ask is told "It is because of what the Almighty did for me when I left Egypt." The simple son, who asks "What is this?" is answered with "With a strong hand the Almighty led us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage."