Hero of the Passover Seder Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: May 06, 2025

Looking to solve the May 06, 2025 New York Times Mini crossword clue "Hero of the Passover Seder"? We've got the perfect 5-letter solution ready for you. Our interactive tools make your solving experience more enjoyable and educational. You can use our letter-by-letter reveal feature to gradually uncover the answer at your own pace. We've also included comprehensive information about this significant Jewish holiday figure, cultural context, and related crossword knowledge. Plus, you can easily navigate between different clues from the same puzzle. Ready to discover which biblical figure plays a central role in the Passover story? Let's explore this answer together!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The May 6, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Hero of the Passover Seder" with the answer MOSES. This clue references the central figure honored during the Jewish holiday of Passover, particularly during the Seder meal, which commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Moses is celebrated as the prophet who, according to the biblical account in the Book of Exodus, confronted Pharaoh, facilitated the ten plagues, and ultimately led the Israelites out of bondage. During the Passover Seder, the story of the Exodus is retold through readings, songs, and symbolic foods, with Moses's pivotal role emphasized throughout the ceremony. This clue connects religious history with cultural practice, making it accessible to solvers familiar with either Jewish traditions or biblical narratives.

Moses in the Passover Narrative

Moses stands as one of the most significant figures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Born to Israelite slaves in Egypt, the biblical narrative describes how he was placed in a basket on the Nile River to escape Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants. Discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, Moses grew up in the Egyptian royal household before later identifying with his Hebrew heritage. After fleeing Egypt following an incident where he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, Moses encountered God speaking through a burning bush, commanding him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom.

During the Passover Seder, the Haggadah (the text that guides the Seder) recounts how Moses, empowered by God, returned to Egypt and demanded that Pharaoh "let my people go." When Pharaoh refused, Moses became the instrument through which God delivered ten devastating plagues upon Egypt. The final plague—the death of the firstborn—led to Pharaoh finally agreeing to release the Israelites. As the Egyptians pursued the fleeing Hebrews, Moses miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing his people to cross on dry land while the waters closed upon the pursuing Egyptian forces. The Passover story continues with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and leading the Israelites through 40 years of desert wandering before they reached the Promised Land—though Moses himself died before entering it. This narrative of liberation and covenant forms the foundation of Jewish identity and is ceremonially reenacted during each Passover Seder.

The Passover Seder Explained

The Passover Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach). The Seder (which means "order" in Hebrew) follows a specific sequence outlined in the Haggadah. This ceremonial dinner includes symbolic foods placed on the Seder plate: maror (bitter herbs) representing the bitterness of slavery; charoset (a sweet mixture of fruits, nuts, and wine) symbolizing the mortar used by the enslaved Israelites; karpas (a vegetable, often parsley) dipped in salt water to represent tears; z'roa (a roasted shankbone) symbolizing the Passover sacrifice; and beitzah (a roasted egg) representing mourning and the cycle of life.

Throughout the Seder, participants drink four cups of wine, corresponding to the four expressions of redemption mentioned in the Book of Exodus. The meal includes the breaking and hiding of the afikoman (a piece of matzah), which children search for later. The Seder also incorporates the recitation of the Four Questions, traditionally asked by the youngest person present, which prompt the telling of the Exodus story. While Moses is central to the narrative recounted during the Seder, interestingly, rabbinic tradition emphasizes that the liberation was ultimately God's work, with Moses serving as the human agent. Nevertheless, Moses remains the human hero of the Passover story, making "MOSES" an apt answer to the crossword clue "Hero of the Passover Seder."

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving clues like "Hero of the Passover Seder" in the NYT Mini Crossword, cultural and religious knowledge can be extremely helpful. For clues referencing specific holidays or traditions, consider the major figures associated with that celebration. In this case, recognizing that the Passover Seder commemorates the Exodus from Egypt should point toward Moses as the likely answer. The Mini Crossword often includes accessible cultural references that most solvers would be familiar with, even if they don't practice the tradition themselves. When encountering religious-themed clues, think about the most prominent figures from that tradition who would be widely known. Additionally, the letter count can help narrow your options—in this case, the five-letter requirement rules out other biblical figures like Aaron or Miriam who are also mentioned in the Passover story. Finally, check crossing words to confirm your answer, as the Mini Crossword is designed so that most answers are accessible through multiple paths.

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