The Ballad of the Four Sons

Haggadah Section: -- Four Children

Said the father to the children
"At the Seder you will dine,
You will eat your fill of matzoh, You will drink four cups of wine."

Now this father had no daughters, But his sons they numbered four, One was wise, and one was wicked, One was simple and a bore.

And the fourth was sweet and winsome, He was young and he was small,
While his brothers asked the questions, He could scarcely speak at all.

Said the wise one to his father "Would you please explain the laws. Of the customs of the Seder
Will you please explain the cause?"

And the father proudly answered "As our fathers ate in speed,
Ate the Pascal lamb 'ere midnight, And from slavery were freed,"

"So we follow their example,
And 'ere midnight must complete,

All the Seder, and we should not After twelve remain to eat."

Then did sneer the son so wicked, "What does all this mean to you?" And the father's voice was bitter As his grief and anger grew.

"If yourself you don't consider, As a son of Israel
Then for you this has no meaning, You could be a slave as well!"

Then the simple son said softly, "What is this?" and quietly
The good father told his offspring "We were freed from slavery."

But the youngest son was silent,
For he could not speak at all,
His bright eyes were bright with wonder As his father told him all.

Now, dear people, heed the lesson And remember evermore,
What the father told his children Told his sons who numbered four! 

- Ben Aronin

Source:  
Velveteen Rabbi's Haggadah for Pesach

Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?

Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world

Have an idea
for a clip?

People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip

Support Us
with your donation

Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.

OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS

contributor image
Esther Kustanowitz
4 Haggadahs38 Clips
contributor image
JQ International
1 Haggadah40 Clips
contributor image
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
5 Haggadahs109 Clips
contributor image
18Doors
1 Haggadah13 Clips
contributor image
JewishBoston
1 Haggadah78 Clips
contributor image
Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
1 Haggadah36 Clips
contributor image
American Jewish World Service
1 Haggadah44 Clips
contributor image
JewBelong
3 Haggadahs57 Clips
contributor image
Repair the World
12 Clips
contributor image
HIAS
5 Haggadahs48 Clips
contributor image
Be'chol Lashon
2 Haggadahs27 Clips
contributor image
PJ Library
1 Haggadah17 Clips
contributor image
Jewish World Watch
3 Haggadahs42 Clips
contributor image
Secular Synagogue
10 Clips
contributor image
SVIVAH
1 Haggadah9 Clips
contributor image
The Blue Dove Foundation
12 Clips
contributor image
ReformJudaism.org
24 Clips
contributor image
Jewish Emergent Network
1 Haggadah22 Clips

Passover Guide

Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.

Haggadot

Haggadot.com by Recustom, is a free resource for all backgrounds and experiences. Consider making a donation to help support the continuation of this free platform.

Copyright © 2024 Custom and Craft Jewish Rituals Inc, dba Recustom, dba Haggadot.com.
All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN: 82-4765805.