III. KARPAS / Karpas - כַּרְפַּס

Dipping Parsley in Salt Water

Parsley (or any other vegetable such as celery or potato) is dipped in salt water and then eaten. The parsley symbolizes both the humble origins of the Jewish people as well as the rebirth of spring, which is starting now. (In Eastern Europe, where green vegetables were not common, a potato was used instead). The salt water symbolizes the tears shed during our slavery.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-adamah.

Praised are you, Lord, our God, whose Presence fills the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.


haggadah Section: Karpas