The shankbone is perhaps the largest and most prominent item on the seder plate and it directly represents the most important part of Passover anciently – the Paschal sacrifice.  It is usually roasted or boiled, although roasted is preferred since the Paschal sacrifice was to have been roasted.  All meat should be removed. Unlike other items on the seder plate, the shankbone is meant strictly for display.[1]

      The term zeroa, meaning forearm, was selected because it provides an opportunity to point out how God brought the Israelites out from Egypt “with an outstretched arm.”[2]

[1] Levin, Meyer. An Israel Haggadah for Passover (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, no date) 28

[2] Klein, Mordell ed. Passover (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1973) 57