Jenna - Urchatz/Karpas | Passover haggadah by JTL

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What is Urchatz?

Urchatz is the washing of hands before dipping the vegetables in salt water. It is said after Kiddush but without saying the bracha. In some homes, only the leader washes and in others, all the participants do so as well.

Why do we do it?

Although throughout the year the general custom does not follow this rule of washing before eating vegetables, on the Seder night we do wash our hands. One must wash his hands before eating any food which has been dipped in any liquid. Another reason is that washing hands is simply another change done to pique the children's curiosity.

Customs:

In some homes, only the leader washes his hands and in other homes, all of the participants will wash their hands. These customs are based on two reasons. The first is that if we wash our hands just to encourage the children to ask, only the leader needs to wash his hands. The second is that if the basis for the custom is the rule regarding dipped foods, then all should wash their hands. For those who did not wash their hands, it is preferable that they use a spoon or fork when eating Karpas.

When do we do it?

There are two points in the Seder when we wash our hands. The first time is Urchatz which is the second step in the Seder; it has the curious distinction of being one of four rituals during the Seder which has no blessing. We learn in the Talmud that during temple times there was a law in effect which required hands to be washed before eating any food dipped into a liquid. Because this hand washing immediately precedes Karpas, when we dip a vegetable in a liquid, the Urchatz remains as a reminder of these times.

How do we do it?

Traditionally, hand washing is done at the table by the Seder leader. He used a pitcher of water, a basin, and a towel. In some families, the leader and participants will wash over a sink and use a cup to pour the water over their hands. Whoever is participating will take a pitcher or cup of water and pour it over each hand. The hands are dried, no blessing is recited, and then the bracha over Karpas is immediately recited. Just as we don't speak between washing our hands and making a blessing on the challah for Shabbat, there should be no talking between Urchatz and Karpas, especially because these two are considered as one act. With this in mind, if there is to be an explanation for Urchatz or Karpas, it should be made before washing.

What is Karpas?

Karpas is the dipping of vegetable into salt water. It can be any vegetable over which the blessing ha’adamah is recited; however, each family should follow their own custom of which vegetable to use for Karpas. No matter the vegetable chosen, a piece of Karpas smaller than a kezayis should be eaten by each participant at the Seder.

Why do we do it?

Many say that the reason we dip the Karpas vegetable into salt water is to remind us of the sweat and tears that our ancestors endured during slavery. Another thought is that is that because Pesach is in the springtime, the green vegetable is a symbol of renewal. Of course, other reasons are to encourage the children to ask questions such as, “Why is Kiddush not followed by a blessing for bread, and instead we eat dipped Karpas?” It is done so early in the Seder because the children will still be awake and it will help them remain involved in the Seder. Additionally, the word “Karpas” consists of the same letters as the word, “perech” which means slave labor, and the letter “samech” which has the numerical value of sixty, this alludes to the sixty ten thousands of Jewish slaves in Egypt.

Customs:

While many use salt water to dip their Karpas, some families prefer something like vinegar or lemon. The salt water or selection of the family’s choice should be prepared before the arrival of Pesach. If Seder falls on a Friday night and the salt water mixture was not prepared in advance, kosher for passover vinegar can be used as a substitute. If no vinegar is available, a small amount of salt water may be prepared in an unusual manner. According to some opinions, even when the Seder is not on Shabbat, the same ruling applies.

When do we do it?

Karpas is done at the beginning of the Seder; to be more exact, it is the third step in the list of the Seder. It is done immediately after the washing of the hands.

How do we do it?

It is preferable for the person leading the Seder to recite the bracha of “Borei Peri Ha’adamah” over the Karpas on behalf of everybody at the Seder. The leader should have in mind that he recites this bracha on behalf of both himself and the others, and they too, must have in mind to fulfill their obligation through his recitation, they should answer, “Amen.”

To summarize all of the steps: One must wash before Karpas, just as they would before bread; however, without a bracha. There should be no speaking until after eating the Karpas. It is preferable not to lean when eating Karpas. The leader recites the blessing on Karpas on behalf of everybody else and they should all answer with “Amen.” The amount of Karpas eaten should be less than a kezayis, and finally, the Karpas should remain on the Seder plate throughout the Seder.

haggadah Section: Urchatz