Our tradition speaks of four children who each come to celebrate Passover in different ways: the wise, the mischievous, the simple, and the one who doesn’t yet know how ask about Pesach.

What says the wise child? That child asks, “What are these testimonies, statutes, and judgments we learn about through the Passover story? You shall discuss with that child the order and meaning of the seder.

What says the mischievous child? That child asks, “What do you mean by this seder?” By using the word “you” and not “we,” the child is not including him or herself in the community. For this child, you shall affirm, “This is done because we must remember and learn from our people’s journey to freedom.”

What says the simple child? This child asks, “What is this?” You shall tell that child, “This is the story of our journey to freedom.”

As for the child who is not yet able to inquire about the seder you shall relate the story of when our people went forth from Egypt.


haggadah Section: -- Four Children