This Pesach we ask the question, when it comes to decoration, where do Jews draw the lion(s)? The answer is: seemingly everywhere! Here is a mid 19th-century pewter repousse seder plate from Germany (OK, it’s not Lithuanian, but we couldn’t resist) inscribed with a impressive anthropomorphized pair of lions holding the tablets under the crown. Look at their faces! But why are they turning away from the law? Zodiac signs ring the plate.
FYI, repousse means the design was hammered into the metal – so it wasn’t exactly drawn, or “graven.” As w
Compare these Passover lion-men with our Burlington lions. Even though the seder plate lions wears crowns, we think our lions are more regal. The inscription beneath the lions let’s us know that this plate is kosher for Passover. Above the lions is the name of the month Adar and its zodiac sign; the fish for pisces. So when you eat gefilte fish at a seder – and if it is fresh and good – you can think of it as a Mazel Tov (a good sign)!