The Torah speaks of four types of children: one is wise, one is wicked, one is simple, and one does not know how to ask.

The Wise One asks: "What is the meaning of the laws and traditions God has commanded?" (Deuteronomy 6:20) You should teach that child all the traditions of Passover, even to the last detail.

The Wicked Child asks: "What does this ritual mean to you?" (Exodus 12:26) By using the expression "to you" they exclude themself from the Jewish people and deny God. Shake their arrogance and say: "It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt..." (Exodus 13:8) "For me" and not for them -- for had they been in Egypt, they would not have been freed.

The Simple One asks: "What is all this?" You should tell that child: "It was with a mighty hand that the Lord took us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."

As for the One Who Does Not Know How To Ask, you should open the discussion for them, as it is written: "And you shall explain to your child on that day, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt." (Exodus 13:8)


haggadah Section: -- Four Children
Source: Traditional