who are the 4 sons

Who are the four sons? Below you will find one way of understanding the Four Sons in relation to modern day.

The wise son - The first generation Jews who emigrated at the turn of the century. This is the Jew who grew up with a strong connection to the Jewish way of life. It is inconceivable for him to think of working on Shabbat. He knows why Judaism is important.

The wicked son- His son, the second generation. This is the rebel who wants to succeed in his new life and take on Western values. He has grown up in a home full of Jewish values.

The simple son - His son, the third generation. This child has spent Seder nights at his grandparents' table, has seen his grandmother light the Shabbat candles. He has a spattering of knowledge picked up at Hebrew school, but he doesn't know the meaning behind any of the symbols and is not very motivated to go beyond what he sees.

The one too young to ask -His son, the fourth generation . This child does not have memories of his great grandparents. He celebrates the Australian holidays knowing that he is a Jew, but has no connection whatsoever to Judaism. He sits at a traditional Seder night and does not even know what to ask because it is all so foreign to him.

Today there is a fifth son, who is off in India or out at the movies on Seder night, not even aware that Passover exists. Anyone sitting at the Seder table is still connected to the Jewish people and heritage just by being there. We just need to get him curious and interested enough to ask a question that interests him and you can open the door for him.


haggadah Section: -- Four Children