Karpas | כרפס
LEADER: (Distributes pieces of green vegetable, such as parsley, to all assembled, and says:) The third ceremony is partaking of the Karpas. We now dip this green fruit of the earth into salt water. (While assembled take and pass dipped parsley:)
PARTICIPANT: Like many Jewish holidays, Passover connects to cycles in nature. The Karpas is a symbol of the Spring. It represents the reawakening of life and reminds us that beneath the snow, the earth is not dead, but dormant.
PARTICIPANT: We temper this symbol of hope by dipping it in salt water, symbolic of the tears of our enslaved forefathers. As many of us still shed tears due to loss of work or of our daily routines, it can be easy to lose sight of the new season beginning just outside our doors.
PARTICIPANT: We mix a bit of this symbol of hope and springtime with a little sadness. May our gratitude for the blessings that we enjoy help to soften the pain of sorrow, and convert tears to joy and appreciation.
ASSEMBLED:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p’ri ha’adamah.
Blessed art Thou, our God, ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the earth.
(The vegetable is eaten)
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