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Karpas – סַפּ ְרַכּ

. ה ָמ ָדֲאָה י ִר ְפּ א ֵרוֹבּ ,םָלוֹעָה ֶל ֶמ וּניק ֱא 'ה ה ָתּ ַא וּרָבּ

Karpas ‐ Jacob Kupferman (6 grade)
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One of the highlights at the beginning of my Seder is the dipping of vegetables in saltwater. Although it tastes
good you will soon learn it’s not for a very good reason. Why do we eat Karpas and why is it dipped in salt wa-
ter? The Gemarah (Pesachim 114) says it’s to get the children to ask questions at the Seder, while another source
says it’s an appetizer because royal families would eat appetizers. The reason for dipping it in saltwater is be-
cause the water represents tears of Bnei Yisrael during their slavery. These answers may be different but I think
there is a connection. To experience true royalty you need make sure you have kids to continue your legacy.
You eat it as an appetizer for royalty, and also to get your kids ask questions, learn, and continue your legacy.

Yanir Micha—4th grade