Karpas (Parsley in salt water)

During the seder, we will eat certain foods in certain ways to remind us of the Exodus story and to help us to imagine what it would have felt like to be an Israelite escaping from Egypt all that time ago.

Now, we will dip parsley in salt water.

The salt water represents the bitter tears shed by our ancestors as slaves in Egypt.

The karpas - which can be any green vegetable - represents spring. In Israel, Passover is a Spring festival, and Spring is the season of hope and renewal.

While our ancestors in Egypt suffered terribly as slaves and shed many tears, the Exodus story is one of new beginnings and reminds us of the opportunity of renewal and rebirth in all of our lives. Even where there is tremendous sadness, there is always the opportunity for new and better beginnings. 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה                                                     

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-adamah.

We praise You, Adonai, Sovereign of Life, Who creates the fruit of the earth.


haggadah Section: Karpas
Source: Original