Why do we do this? We are putting karpas, the symbol of spring, life, and hope, together with salt water, the symbol of tearful slavery. In this way, we combine the very different feelings Passover brings: on the one hand, hope and happiness; on the other, sadness that our people were once downtrodden and that so many people are oppressed even today.

Next comes an exciting moment. The leader takes out the middle matzah of the three and breaks it in two. One piece is the afikoman, a Greek word that means "dessert." Later on we will share it with all the guests as the last food of the meal. The leader sets it aside for now. But sometime soon the children will "steal" the afikoman and hide it. Later, when it is needed, they will exchange it for gifts--either money or presents.