Traditionally, The Four Sons/Daughters include a wise one, a wicked (or rebellious) one, a simple one and one who does not even know enough to ask. Each of the first three ask questions about the Seder, essentially "Explain all this to me - what are my responsibilities?" "What has all this nonsense you are babbling about got to do with me?" and "What IS all this anyway?" while the fourth is silent - requiring the adults to be proactive in providing an explanation of the Seder proceedings.

Some say that The Four Children is a metaphor for four different attitudes toward tradition, toward belonging and toward being active or passive in the face of injustice. Some say it is about stages of life, from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood (and, potentially, back again toward old age).

In the spirit of telling the story of Exodus and different attitudes that one might take to one's communal and global responsibilities, think about your relationship to your tradition, the people from whom or the place from which you come and the events taking place there.

- Do you understand what is going on?

- Do you feel any obligation to do anything about it?

- What would you do if you could?

- What should you tell your children about it?

As we all join together, in 2015, we bring many different thoughts and approaches to this wonderful Seder Table.  We have three generations represented.  We have traveled from all over, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, and even Saudi Arabia!  We hope that Jacob Williard is having a nice seder on the West Coast, and we hope that Sara Levitt is having a nice seder in Vermont, and we look forward to seeing them at future family Simcha’s!

I think I speak for all who are present and those who are not here when I say that we have ALL TYPES of children represented in this FAMILY!  And we wouldn’t want it any other way!


haggadah Section: -- Four Children