Four Daughters

We are commanded to teach all of our children, each according to her ability to learn from us, and we, their mothers, learn from them.

Wise daughter: The wise daughter challenges us. She elates us with her scholarship and knowledge of halacha (law). We praise her erudition and her thirst to learn, while we encourage her to join heart with head in seeking knowledge.

Rebellious daughter: the rebellious daughter challenges us. She questions our traditions and authority. Rejecting the time-honored answers, she threatens us by standing outside our community. We fear losing her, yet admit that we have pushed her away. It is not enough to invite this daughter to hear our story; we need to hear hers.

Simple Daughter: The simple daughter challenges us. For her, we relate the Passover story as a stirring tale. We share with her the enjoyment of the special foods, lingering patiently over the metaphors for freedom. We take joy in her soul’s understanding.

Daughter Who Does Not Know How to Ask: The daughter who does not know how to ask challenges us. Ours is the precious task to light a spark in this daughter, to kindle within her a lifelong passion to know herself and her people.

We have been each of these daughters, and they live within us now. All of these women are welcome at our Seder.


haggadah Section: -- Four Children