We dip the karpas into salt water to recall the tears of our ancestors in the beginning of the season of growth and rebirth. We take this moment to recognize that the Passover story is a story of rebirth; the Exodus from Egypt marks the rebirth of the Israelites, after hundreds of years of slavery. 

Take some greens, dip them into salt water, and say: 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p’ri ha’adamah.

Blessed are You, Lord, our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.


haggadah Section: Karpas