Choose from among the spring vegetables on the Seder table and dip one in salt water.
The spring vegetable reminds us to pay attention to this season, the time in the northern hemisphere when we again see flowers blooming and hear birds chirping. The salt water in which we dip the vegetable recalls the salty tears our ancestors shed when they were enslaved as well the tears of those today who are oppressed or enslaved. The blessing we recite heightens our awareness and gratitude for this moment, when we are free to celebrate together.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה עוֹלָמֵנוּ, יָחִיד וּמְיוּחָד
.בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאַדָמָה
Ba-rookh a-ta o-la-may-noo, ya-cheed u-m'yoo-chad, bo-ray p'ree ha-a-da-ma.
Blessed are you, unique world of ours, for producing the fruit of the earth.
Some households serve a salad of seasonal vegetables at this point, to take the edge off people's hunger and thus to allow greater ease for telling and discussing the Passover story.
