The Riddle of Passover Charoset

First of all, what is Charoset? It is a special Passover menu item found on every Jewish table that celebrates the exodus from Egypt. Today Charoset (חֲרֽוֹסֶת), a sweet brown mixture eaten as a part of the memorial meal that looks back to the slavery of Pharaoh and the emancipation of Israelites recorded in the Bible. According to the famous Jewish sage Gamaliel, the Haggadah lists three things that are essential for Passover: Pesach (the festival offering), Matzah (unleavened bread), and Marror (bitter herbs). So Charoset (חֲרֽוֹסֶת) is not on the list of essential components of Exodus remembrance. Yet when the three components are made into a sandwich, Charoset takes the place of the meat of sacrifice that is no longer available. So, there is something very special about it.