Edible Crossing The Red Sea Scenes for the Passover Table
Shalom Mishpacha!!!
Since people hold different convictions about what is “unleavened” to have in their homes or consume during Passover, I’m sharing two edible Red Sea scene ideas that you can adapt to fit your family’s standards. One uses common store-bought items, and the other is a fully homemade version featuring my very own Matzah Men, which double as crunchy crackers for dips! Of course, neither, would be considered Rabbinically Kosher (Kashrut).
Setting the Scene – A Moment to Ponder
I can almost see it…
The Hebrews, wide-eyed and breathless, stepping cautiously between towering walls of water. Can you imagine the awe? The roar of the sea held back by the power of
You just know that at least one curious soul had to reach out, ever so tentatively, toward that miraculous wall. Was it a teenager or a child? Did their hand pass through it like mist coming off the water or was it stopped, from a solid glassy water window?
I can see the children clutching their parents’ robes, feet stumbling in the wet sand, while mothers whispering, “Keep going! Keep looking forward! Don’t look back!”
And all around them, movement in the deep. Fish (and yes, even sharks), great and small, drifting just inches away behind transparent walls of water, peering back at the throngs of people and livestock with wonderment of their own. Perhaps the sea life gathered for this parade to see firsthand the Creator’s plan of salvation unfold on their sea floor or were they gathering for a feast that was yet to come?
This wasn’t just any path, it was the one and only portal to freedom.
And every step mattered, with the thunder of chariots growing louder behind them. The magnitude of the shaking of the ground was increasing, steps felt more unsteady. They were feeling out of breath from fear and rushing. The adrenaline rush was almost too much. The stronger people helped the weaker, until they all safely reached the other side.
And then with an almighty CLAP, the sea was set free, too, and those pursuing them were no more.
And the people of Israel broke into dances of joy and songs of HalleluYAH.
Scene 1: Store-Bought Simplicity
This version is quick to assemble and fun to display. It’s also perfect if you’re short on time or want to make a gift for neighbors or friends.
You’ll need:
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Graham crackers (for the sea walls)
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Graham cracker crumbs (for the desert floor)
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Royal icing (to hold it all together)
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Blue Buttercream icing (to create water)
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Fish sprinkles (to make the Red Sea come alive!)
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Pepperidge Farm Gingerbread Men (as the Israelites)
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A cake board for the base
- (Optional) Shark and Other Sea Life cake decor
It only takes about an hour to build the entire scene, but because of the structure itself, you’ll need to let the royal icing dry before applying the frosting, so plan for a few hours total.
We gave this version away to our neighbors, and the children absolutely loved it. One even recognized Moses right away! 😊
I also made a smaller, cereal bowl-sized version for us to enjoy as a little treat after dinner, without consuming copious amounts of blue food dye and sugar. Just a bite-sized reminder of the deliverance we celebrate.
Scene 2: Let My People Go – Matzah Men Edition
My first idea was to use “gingerbread Hebrews,” but then I paused. While some folks consider gingerbread men (especially homemade ones) to be unleavened, others, like my adult son, Joined, raise valid concerns about baking powder or baking soda during the Week of Unleavened Bread.
So, I made Matzah Men instead. They are simple, crisp crackers made without leavening. They turned out delicious and made the perfect edible Israelites for our Red Sea crossing scene!
I wanted to serve them with a naturally blue dip, so I experimented with dyeing low-carb dips using Butterfly Pea Flower tea and other natural coloring options. However, the taste and texture just weren’t quite right. Natural blue food coloring tends to be very sensitive to acid, and keeping the flavor balanced was tricky. I’m sure I could’ve figured it out with more time to experiment, but with the clock ticking…
I quickly made a simple homemade ranch dip with all natural ingredients, no coloring. It was a hit!
As a bonus, I used the leftover scraps from cutting out the matzah men, baked them, and pulsed them in the food processor to make “sand” for the scene. Nothing wasted, everything used.
Either Way – Cross Over to Freedom in Him
These edible scenes add a touch of joy and meaning to the table, especially for children or people like me who are a big kid at heart. Whether you build the dramatic walls of the Red Sea or create tiny desert trails for matzah men to cross, it’s a fun and faith-filled way to remember the miracle of deliverance.
If you try one, I’d love to see your photos!
Chag Pesach Sameach! May we all walk in freedom, guided by His instructions.
“Therefore say to Bnei-Yisrael: I am
“So I may always keep Your Torah,
forever and ever, and walk about in freedom. For I have sought Your precepts.” ~ Tehillim (Psalms) 119:44,45
“Your justice is righteousness forever,
and Your Torah is truth.” – Tehillim (Psalms) 119:142
“If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!” ~ Yochanan (John) 8:31,32