As we eat the karpas, which means "green vegetable," we are confronted with the growthand enslavement we've had as a people. The parsley represents the Israelites and how they initially flourished in Egypt under the influence of Joseph at the end of Genesis. The saltwater we dip it into represents the tears the Israelites wept bitterly as they cried out to God when a new Pharaoh enslaved and subjugated them. Eating them together, we pause and thank God that we are free to enjoy an appetizer before our meal, while we recall the tears that watered the prayers that enabled us to be together at this table tonight.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-adama.

Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the universe, who gives us the fruit of the earth.


haggadah Section: Karpas