Karpas is the dipping of the vegetables in the salt water.
Each person takes a piece of the parsley and dips it in the salt water, and proclaims that this serves as a reminder of my enslaved ancestors in Egypt’s tears.We need to re-taste the breaking labor of Egypt to liberate ourselves from it once again. It was this labor that prepared us for freedom. It was this labor that gave us a humble spirit to accept wisdom.
The reason we use parsley is because it represents the grass of spring. Some people believe that we should use roots that come from the ground.
Annie's tradition- Instead of using parsley, my family also uses potatoes.
The blessing that goes along with this ritual is:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the land.
Baruch atah A-donay, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam borei pri ha-adamah.
Discussion Question:
What other vegetables can we use for this ritual?
