Four Children
The four children are used to tell the story. This was added much later in Haggadot by rabbis. One interpretation is that the four sons represent different generations: the wise being the ones who immigrated to North America, the wicked being the kids who rebelled and take on Western values, the Simple being he just goes along with his family not knowing why, and the one who doesn’t know how to ask because he is so far removed.
We will read the four children as a screenplay. We need two volunteers: one as the narrator and one who will represent each child.
Narrator: What does the wise child say?
Wise Child: What are the testimonies, the statutes, and the laws which the Lord our God has commanded you?” (Deut. 6:20)
Narrator: You must teach this child the rules of observing the holiday of Passover.
Narrator: What does the wicked child say?
Wicked Child: Whatever does this service mean to you? (Exodus 12:26)
Narrator: This child emphasizes the you and not the child’s own self. The child is excluding him/herself from Judaism and the community as a whole. Therefore, if the child had been there, he would have been left behind because he doesn’t even include himself.
Narrator: What does the simple child say?
Simple Child: What is this? (Exodus 13: 14)
Narrator: You answer simply as well, God brought us out of Egypt where we were slaves.
Narrator: As for the child who does not know how to ask, you should should prompt the child, trying to get them to ask a question saying by beginning the story: It is because of this (point to matzah and maror), that God did for me when I went frre from Egypt (Ex 13:8)
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