The Torah instructs us in the ways to respond to different approaches to the Passover Seder, namely the Wise Child, the Wicked Child, the Simple Child, and the Child who does not know enough to ask a question.

The Wise Child may ask "What are the laws that God has commanded us?" In response to this child we explain the observances of the Passover thoroughly, the very last one of which is: After the Passover Seder, we do not turn to other kinds of entertainment, not even dessert. We talk with this child about the nature of freedom and justice and about the need to act to transform the world.

The Wicked Child may ask "What does this Seder mean to you?" To you  and not to them.  Since they excluded themself from the collective, they denied the unity of the Jewish people. You will respond sharply, "'It is because of this that the Lord acted for me when I left Egypt'." For me  and not for them. If they had been there, they would not have been saved.

The Simple Child may ask "What is all this?" And you will say to them, "'God took us out of Egypt, from the house of slaves, with a strong hand."

As for the Child who does not know enough to ask a question, you must open conversation with them and engage them directly. It is this child who is most at risk of drifting away from the Jewish people. You must explain to them that God freed us from slavery and that this is... at least worth a bit of recognition!


haggadah Section: -- Four Children