Our table offers the evidence of Spring. But it also offers salt water - the evidence of our tears. We must acknowledge the pain and suffering we have been experiencing and which we and others will continue to experience. We must allow ourselves the space to grieve. Yet, as the karpas ritual beckons, we must also look toward the future with a sense of hope and possibility. Passover arrives on the precipice of spring, when new growth is just around the corner. All over the world, resilience, strength, compassion and innovation will grow from under this tragedy. We honor the tears, but we also bless the hope.

Raise the karpas, dip it in saltwater and say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-adama.

We praise God, Source of Everything, who creates the fruits of the earth.

We look forward to spring and to the reawakening of life around us. And, feeling anxious and shut down at this time, we look forward to the reawakening within us.  We just know it will come mixed with tears.

From this point onward, feel free to munch upon any of the vegetable choices on your table.  


haggadah Section: Karpas