The Passover festival of freedom developed from an even more ancient holiday: a celebration of the spring harvest. 

Spring is a time of rebirth. The snow of winter has melted. Once again the bare trees have begun to bud. Already the flowers have started to bloom, filling the air with their scent, and our hearts with their life. 

As we read, each person takes a piece of parsley, karpas , and dips it in salt water.

SALT WATER - Why do we dip our food in salt water on this night?
The salty taste reminds us of the tears we cried when we were slaves, and of the tears cried by those who still are not free. The salt water represents the sweat and tears of the disempowered and indebted. May we open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands, and help to remove suffering and want from our world. 

Barukh a-tah a-do-nai, e-lo-he-nu meh-lekh ha-o-lam bo-ray p’ri ha-a- da-mah.

Blessed are you, Source of All Life, Spirit of the Universe, Creator of the Fruit of the Earth.


haggadah Section: Karpas