There is a curious paradox that no one can explain.

Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain?

Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain,

Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again?

I do not know the answer; I merely know it's true.

I hurt them for this reason, and myself a little bit too.

--The Fantasticks

Now we dip our parsley into salt water before we eat it. The tears of slavery. The delicate promise of spring. There is no joy without pain. No rebirth without withering. A curious paradox. A cyclical cleansing.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

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

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruits of the earth.


haggadah Section: Karpas
Source: Serena Berman