Questioning is a healthy sign of freedom. Asking questions is so fundamen- tal that, according to the rabbis, even if one finds oneself alone on Passover, the Four Questions should be asked aloud.

Traditionally, the youngest child is called upon to ask these four questions about the differences that mark this night. We encourage children to question and all who are present may ask the Four Questions.

Ma nish-ta-na ha-lyla ha-zeh meekol ha-lailot?

She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin chamaytz u-matzo, ha-laila ha-zeh kulo matzo

She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin sh’or y’rokot, ha-laila ha-zeh maror

She-be-chol ha-lay-lot ayn anu mat-beeleen afeelu pa-am e-chat ha-laila ha-zeh shetay f’amim

She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin bayn yoshvin u-vayn m’subin ha-laila ha-zeh kulanu m’subin

Why is this night different from all other nights?

On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzoh; why, on this night, do we eat only matzoh?

On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we especially eat bitter herbs?

On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?

On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremony?

On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzoh; why, on this night, do we eat only matzoh?

On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we especially eat bitter herbs?

On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?

On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremo


haggadah Section: -- Four Questions
Source: Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained