If possible, the leader of the Seder should not pour his own Four Cups. It is an expression of freedom for someone else to pour for him. (Rama1 — MB9)
Kiddush is recited over the first cup. Have in mind beforehand to fulfil the mitzvah of Kiddush as well as the mitzva of Arba Kosos. (ShA1 — MB intro)
Just before you drink the first cup, recite the beracha Shehecheyanu. If you forget, you can say the beracha anytime you remember during the first day of Yom Tov. (MB1)
If Seder night is on Shabbos, recite Vaychooloo before Kiddush. You are allowed to read the Haggadda by candlelight. (ShA1 — MB2)
If Seder night falls out on Motzai Shabbos you recite YaKNeHaZ on the first cup: Yayin (Hagoffen), Kiddush (long Kiddush beracha), Ner (Boray Meoray Ho’aysh), Havdalla (long Hamavdil beracha), Z’man (Shehecheyanu). We never say a beracha on besomim from ending Shabbos and coming into a Yom Tov. (ShA1 — MB3)
Bring a Seder plate in front of the baal habayis. It should include the following items in order of proximity to the baal habayis: Karpas or another Hoadoma vegetable; salt water or vinegar; 3 matzos; Maror and Charoses; 2 cooked dishes — one zecher l’Pesach and one zecher l’Chagiga. (ShA4 — MB27,28)
It is best to use a shankbone zecher l’Pesach. It is called z’roa which means arm, serving as a double symbol that Hashem displayed His outstretched arm in Egypt. (ShA4 — MB27)
Are you allowed to eat the 2 cooked dishes on the Seder night? The egg, yes. The meat no. However, never throw the z’roa away — use it for another mitzva. (MB32)
The best species for Maror is lettuce even if it is more expensive than other bitter herbs. If you suspect infestation, rather use horseradish. (ShA5 — MB42)
You need to eat a kezayis. You can mix some lettuce and horseradish to equal the shiur. When measuring leaves, do not count the airspace in between them. (ShA5)
A person who is ill and cannot swallow maror should still eat what he can or at least chew some maror to remember a bitter slavery. But do not say a beracha. (MB43)
The Charoses should be a thick paste prepared lechatchila on erev Yom Tov. Make Charoses out of fruits the Jewish people are compared to — apples, figs, hazelnuts, pomegranates, and almonds. Add straw-like spices like cinnamon and ginger. Later add wine vinegar or red wine to thin the consistency to be like blood. (Rama5 — MB47,48)
Wash netillas yodayim for the dunking of Karpas. Do not say a beracha. Take less than a kezayis of Karpas and dunk it into vinegar, wine, or salt water. Say Boray P’ri Haodama having in mind to cover the maror that will be eaten later. (ShA6 — MB52,54,55)
Crack the middle matza. Give the larger piece to someone who will guard it for Afikoman. Put that piece of matza under a cloth just as the Bnay Yisroel did with their matza when they left Egypt. Some put the Afikoman on their shoulders. (ShA6 — MB58,59)
Raise the Seder plate with the matzos on it and exclaim ‘Hoh lachma anya…’ until Mah Nishtana. This is the beginning of the story. Make sure to say the Haggadda in a language the women and children can understand. (ShA6 — MB61 — Rama6)
Women are obligated in the mitzvos of the night. The lady in the kitchen should sit around the table to listen to the entire Haggadda. She at least needs to hear Kiddush and ‘Rabban Gamliel omer…’. (MB64)
Whoever does not talk about Pesach, Matza, and Marror did not fulfil their obligation. (MB64)
It is customary to throw wine out of your cup with your index finger when saying ‘daam vo’aysh v’simros oshon’, and again for each of the 10 plagues, and finally for each group of DTZ’aCH AD’aSH B’ACH’aV — sixteen times all together. (Rama7)
