Rick: Similar to the four questions, the questions and answers to the four sons help give us new perspectives on the story of the Exodus and how we can explain it to our children.  The four sons are the wise son, the wicked son, the simple son, and the son who does not no how to ask a question (it has a better ring to it in Hebrew).

What does the wise child say?

The wise child asks,   What are the testimonies and laws which God commanded you?

You must teach this child the rules of observing the holiday of Passover.

What does the wicked child say?

The wicked child asks,   What does this service mean to you?

To you and not to himself! Because he takes himself out of the community and misses the point, set this child’s teeth on edge and say to him: “It is because of what God did for me in taking me out of Egypt.” Me, not him. Had that child been there, he would have been left behind.

What does the simple child say?

The simple child asks,   What is this?

To this child, answer plainly: “With a strong hand God took us out of Egypt, where we were slaves.”

What about the child who doesn’t know how to ask a question?

Help this child ask.

Start telling the story:

“It is because of what God did for me in taking me out of Egypt.”

Which of these do you see yourself in?  Which do you see others in?


haggadah Section: -- Four Children