• Guest blog by Emunah Orlow

As we know during the Pesach Seder we dip Karpas into salt water, and I’m sure we all know the basic answer of why we do this. It is because it reminds us of the tears B’nai Yisrael cried during slavery and to remind us how hard it was for them. But I would like to raise a different question.  As we know many words in the Torah, Gemara, Propets, and the Writings have hidden meanings. So what is the hidden meaning of the word Karpas? 

One article says that Karpas is from a Greek word meaning “fresh green growth” or “ tender shoot”. These phrases are openly associated with spring. This is not a coincidence because Pesach happens in spring. And Pesach is known as חג האביב, which means the holiday of spring. Additionally this year we have two Adars to make sure that Pesach would align with the coming of spring. 

Rashi brings up another opinion. He makes a connection between Karpas and Yosef’s coat. Rashi says that the lesser known custom of dipping Karpas into red wine is really to symbolize Yosef’s brothers dipping his coat into blood.  (Bereishis, 37:3)

Rabbi Avram Orlow quotes Rav Huna and says that Pessach is a time of reflection for our behavior throughout the whole year but when we eat Karpas we should not just remember the slaves in Egypt but how we have freedom now. 

There are many ideas out there to answer my question but I wanted to see if you could help me answer it……..So, I ask again, what is the hidden meaning of the word Karpas?

From all of these sources and opinions, I have concluded that the hidden meaning behind Karpas is not to show a specific tragedy but to show tragedy and sad things that happened throughout Jewish history. So this year when you dip your Karpas in the salt water, I want you to not just think about the past tragedies in Jewish history but what is going on right now in Israel. This is the present and I feel that although it is sad we should still remember the past and think about the present.