Karpas(כרפס)are the green leafy vegetables used on the seder plate for Passover.

Usually, a piece of green parsley is used, though any leafy green can suffice. In our family, we welcome spring with cannabis or hashish. It is now time to roll and smoke the first heeze joint of the evening, symbolizing the bounty of the springtime harvest.

Let's breathe in the warm smoke to represent our freedom to do so (at least at home), counting our many blessings,and finding joy in being with family. Let's pray over the heavenly smoke we are able to enjoy together:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

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

We look forward to spring and the reawakening of flowers and greenery. They haven’t been lost, just buried, getting ready for reappearance just when we most needed them. We all have aspects of ourselves that sometimes get buried under the stresses of our busy lives. What has this winter taught us? What elements of our own lives do we hope to revive this spring?


haggadah Section: Karpas