Passover combines the celebration of an event from Jewish history and memory, as well as the continued cycle of our natural world. As we remember the Israelites’ liberation, we also welcome the beginning of spring, the budding of new plants and rebirth happening in the world around us. We now take a vegetable, representing our joy at the dawning of spring after our long, cold winter. Many use a green vegetable such as cucumbers or celery, but Jews primarily from Eastern Europe, have a tradition of using a boiled potato since greens were scarce at Passover time. Regardless of the symbol, we now dip it into salt water, a symbol of the tears the Israelites shed as slaves and those they shed for the pain of their oppressors. Before we eat it, we recite a short blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה: Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-adama.  We praise you, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruits of the earth.

We look forward to spring and the reawakening of flowers and greenery. They haven’t been lost, just buried beneath the snow, getting ready for reappearance when we most need them. OptionalGo around the table and have everyone share a hope for this upcoming year. 


haggadah Section: Karpas
Source: Modified from JewishBoston.com