The Open Source Haggadah

Take less than a kezayit (the volume of one olive) of the karpas, dip it into salt-water or vinegar, and recite the following blessing:

Blessed are You, L-rd, our G-d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.

When reciting this blessing have in mind that it is also for the bitter herbs (of maror and korech, to be eaten later on)

Urhatz (Washing Hands)
Wash your hands without reciting the customary blessing. A cup of water is poured over each hand Three times.

Karpas (Parsley)

READER:
Spring is here. The world is alive and new; the bonds of winter cold are broken. Nature is reborn and the earth feels free and young again. The trees are budding; behind the buds lie flowers. The surprise of the world is about to burst open.

In Mitzrayim, our ancestors awoke from their sleep in chains to the life of freedom; in the long wandering out of bondage, our people were reborn into a new life.

BORUCH ATTO ADONOI ELOHENU MELECH HO'OLOM BORE P'RI HO'ADOMO

(Take the parsley, symbol of spring and hope, and dip it into the salt water, symbol of the bitterness and tears of our people, and eat it.)

The Leader of the Seder dips the Karpas (parsley, celery, or other leafy greens) in brine or vinegar, and distributes it in pieces among the celebrants. They recite the blessing, then eat the Karpas.

Bless you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
Who makes the earth fruitful.

Baruch ata adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam
bore peri ha'adama