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Pesach! The whole family sits around the Seder table, tells the story of the Exodus as they eat Matzah, Maror and the festive meal. The children are the center of attention, since the whole purpose of the evening is to give over the traditions to the next generation. The Hagada speaks about 4 kinds of children. The wise, the wicked, the simpleton and the one that does not know how to ask questions. We want them all around the table of the Seder. We will teach each one in the way that fits him or her.
For which child do we worry the most?
The Rebbe explains that the child who does not ask questions is the one who needs us most. The wicked child may debate and doubt, but s/he cares. No one fights something that s/he doesn’t care about. Since the dialogue is open with him or her, there is a possibility that we will convince him or her to return.
On the other hand, the child who doesn’t ask anything is psychologically so far away from us, that he doesn’t even pay attention to us. He doesn’t ask, because he’s not interested. We need to try harder in order to “break through” his indifference and teach him.
Μια φίλη μου παραπονέθηκε πως είναι σχεδόν η μόνη που κάνει ερωτήσεις στη τάξη της. Νιώθει λίγο χαζή που "μόνο αυτή" δεν καταλαβαίνει τη δασκάλα και λίγο εκνευριστική που όλη την ώρα την "ενοχλεί" με ερωτήσεις. Η αλήθεια, όμως, είναι πως είναι η μόνη, που παρακολουθεί προσεκτικά το συγκεκριμένο μάθημα, ενώ οι υπόλοιποι δεν ενδιαφέρονται αρκετά ώστε να τους δημιουργηθούν απορίες…
One of my friends complained that she is almost the only one who asks questions in her class. She feels a little stupid that “only she” doesn’t understand the teacher, and also a bit frustrated that she continuously “disturbs” her with questions. The truth however is, that she is the only one who listens to this class carefully, while the others are not interested enough in the subject for questions to arise by them.
It’s very important to think and ask questions. To have an active participation in the Seder and generally in our lives and in our Judaism.
If we don’t ask, how will we learn?
Shabbat Shalom and Pesach Kasher Vesameach!
Hanna
