Kehillat Ma'arav - Santa Monica, CA | Conservative Synagogue

Voice Articles

Home > Education > Voice Articles > From the Bimah > April 2006

From the Bimah
April 2006

In the Passover Haggadah, a well-known section speaks of the four children: one wise, one hateful, one simple and one too young to ask a question.

The Haggadah interprets these four children to be representative of the diversity found within any given Jewish community. A generalized rendering of this famous section gives insight into another interpretation: The different generations of Jews who immigrated to the United States, along with those who grew up in this country between the middle nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Metaphorically, the wise child represents the generation of Jews who came to America from Europe. They were indeed "wise" to the customs and demands incumbent on the Jew. No doubt, many used their talents to build American Jewry to which we can all be grateful. At the same time, many were all too happy to leave their Jewish heritage behind.

Elements of the first generation were unable, or worse, unwilling to transmit the importance of Judaism to their descendants.

The Haggadah's depiction of the "hateful child" fits the description of the second generation. You can almost hear the dialogues that occurred between parent and child: "Judaism is fine for you, it is irrelevant to me! We live in a different world!"

The third generation while not burdened with the disdain very often felt by their parents nonetheless parallels the "simple child." Labeled simple due to their undeveloped understanding of the tradition. They are na•ve to Judaism's mission to the world, a mission that when taken seriously can instill meaning and goodness into one's life.

The fourth generation, like the fourth child is too young yet to determine a clear direction. My children's generation represents this fourth grouping.

In the same way Passover describes an historic exodus, one from slavery to freedom, we committed Jews must work ever harder to stem yet another exodus.

This time, an exodus that leads our fellow-Jews away from our coveted heritage. So when you sit down with family and friends to study the Haggadah this year, do so without thinking of it as an ancient rite re-lived. Think of the Haggadah as a timeless text, addressing timeless issues. Ask yourself: What am I doing to insure Jewish survival? What am I doing to make Judaism an enriching component to my life--a moral guide to my behavior?

The Haggadah tells us to view ourselves as if we have been personally liberated from Egypt. This year, think of yourself as having been escorted out of Egypt. At the same time, think of yourself as an important contributor to the ongoing enrichment of our people.

Happy Passover!

Rabbi Michael Gotlieb