The Karpas ritual (a vegetable which is dipped into salt water or vinegar) is part of a traditional Passover Seder. This symbolic ritual has many explanations as to why it is done. The vegetable is said to represent the humble beginnings of the Jewish people. The salt water symbolizes the tears shed by the Jewish people from the oppression they have experienced thousands of years ago.
The Karpas Ritual starts with the seder leader calling out “Karpas!” Everyone present must recite the following before dipping the vegetable into the salt water:
Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, borei p’ri ha’adamah. (Blessed art thou, Lord our God, Master of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the earth.)
Dip the vegetable into salt water and partake a piece of it.
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