The seder is all about invoking curiosity. This year, our seder is different in so many ways, which is appropriate considering we ask the question "Why is this night different from all other nights?" What are some questions you’re asking tonight?

Typically, the youngest child at the table would ask the four questions but for tonight, I will sing them and I ask that those of you who know it join with me (whether you want to put your mic on mute or not). On this night that is so different, let us ask the four questions together. The questions follow in both English and Hebrew: 

מַה נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת?

Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilot?

Why is this night different from all other nights?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה – כֻּלּוֹ מַצָּה.

Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin hametz umatzah; halailah hazeh, kuloh matzah.

On all other nights, we eat chameitz and matzah. Why on this night, only matzah?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת – הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה (כֻּלּוֹ) מָרוֹר.

Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin sh’ar y’rakot; halailah hazeh, maror.

On all other nights, we eat all vegetables. Why, on this night, maror?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אָנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּעַם אֶחָת – הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים.

Sheb’khol haleilot ein anu matbilin afilu pa’am ehat; halailah hazeh, shtei f’amim.

On all other nights, we don’t dip even once. Why on this night do we dip twice?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין – הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָּנוּ מְסֻבִּין.

Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin; halailah hazeh, kulanu m’subin.

On all other nights, we eat either sitting upright or reclining. Why on this night do we all recline?

 


haggadah Section: -- Four Questions