haroseth

English

Alternative forms

• charoses, charoset, charoseth, haroset

Etymology

Hebrew חֲרֽוֹסֶת, from חרס (cheres, “clay”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /həˈɹəʊsɛθ/, /həˈɹəʊsɛt/

Noun

haroseth (uncountable)

1. (Judaism) A paste made of fruits and nuts eaten at Passover, representing the mortar mixed by the Israelites during their slavery in Egypt.
   • 1887, The Living Age, volume 173, page 320:

     Then the chief rabbi again took bread and brake it and gave it to all that were withhim, and dipped it into the dish with the haroseth and the lettuce.

   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 235:

     She had never heard of matzo, never tasted the bitter herb, never waited, impatiently, for the moment when she could eat the charoset.

   • 2001, Susan Lingo, A to Z Object Talks That Teach about the Old Testament‎^[1], page 40:

     Unleavened bread and a fruit spread called haroseth are still served today at Passover feasts to remind God's people to be ready to go for God when he calls!

   • 2005, Marilyn Sachs, A Pocket Full of Seeds‎^[2], page 91:

     On each table was a platter containing the symbols of Passover—matzoh (unleavened bread), marror (bitter herbs), haroseth (a paste made of chopped apples, nuts, cinnamon, and wine), the shank bone of a lamb, a roasted egg, and parsley.