This vegetable is a symbol of the coming spring. We dip it in salt water to remember the tears of our ancestors in Egypt. Others say we dip the karpas in salt water to remind ourselves of Joseph, whose brothers dipped his amazing technicolor dream coat in blood as they sold him into slavery in Egypt.

What things in our lives during this season make us feel hope?

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What memories make the hope difficult or meaningful?

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Take less than a kezayit (the volume of one olive) of the karpas, dip it into salt-water, and recite the following blessing:

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