ALL:  Once, we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. We were brought forth from the land of slavery into a new land of milk and honey. Had we not been rescued from the hand of the tyrant, surely we and our children would still be enslaved.

 Leader: Four times the Torah says “and you shall tell your child on that day.” This charge is repeated because there are many kinds of children and we must answer their questions each in a different way, so that they may understand.

Participant: The Wise Child asks “what is the meaning of our laws and traditions?” This child is able to see beyond what is directly in front of them. To this child, we teach the full history of her people and show her the many parts that make up the whole.

Participant: The Wicked Child asks “what does this ritual mean to you? To this child we say, it is because of what HaShem, the Spirit of the Universe, did for me when I was a slave. We say “what was done for me” because the Wicked Child does not see the Seder as having meaning to them. Because of this, they are still enslaved.

Participant: The Simple Child asks “what is all of this?” To this child we give a straight-forward answer: this is the tradition of our people. Once we were slaves and now we are free.

Participant: For the Child Who Knows Not How to Ask, we take him by the hand and show him how to find the questions.

Leader: God means different things to different people at many different times. Sometimes, we need God to help us be strong, like a rock. Sometimes, we need God to comfort and guide us, like a Shepherdess. So, we have many different names for God: Adonai, the Lord, Most High, Maker of Peace, Rock of Ages, Healer,      Creator, Mother and HaMakom– the Place. Though God is not a person, the names of God show us the different faces of Deity. Let us each seek out that place where God is for us.

 


haggadah Section: -- Four Children
Source: Original