Passover evokes compelling narratives of slavery and freedom with honoring the cycles of nature. As we remember the liberation from Egypt, we also recognize the stirrings of spring and natural growth unfolding in the world around us. The symbols on our table bring together both elements of these celebrations.

We now take a vegetable, representing our joy at the dawning of spring (mindful that more snow might come!).  Let's now dip it into salt water, a symbol of the tears our ancestors shed while they suffered as slaves. 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 bless the source of everything that creates the fruits of the earth.

We all have aspects of ourselves that sometimes get buried, like heavy snow, under the stress of our busy lives. What has this winter taught us? What elements of our own lives do we hope to revive this spring?