Korech is the Seder step featuring Hillel’s sandwich of matzah and bitter herbs.
The name Korech means “wrapping” or “binding,” reflecting the act of combining matzah with maror. In many Haggadahs, this practice is associated with the sage Hillel, who is said to have eaten the Passover offerings together with matzah and bitter herbs. The modern sandwich commemorates that combined practice even though the Temple sacrifices are no longer performed.
Korech occurs after Motzi Matzah and Maror, when participants have already eaten matzah and bitter herbs separately. It comes before Shulchan Orech, the main festive meal. Many communities add charoset to the sandwich, although the defining ingredients in the Seder sequence are matzah and maror.
Korech is not the same as Yachatz, when the middle matzah is broken, or Tzafun, when the afikoman is eaten after the meal. Shulchan Orech means “set table” and refers to the meal itself. Rachtzah is the hand-washing before the matzah blessings, so it belongs earlier in the order.