As we tell the story, we think about it from all angles. Our tradition speaks of four different types of children who might react differently to the Passover Seder. Expanding on this definition, lets think of these children instead as "Open Minds" that are open to new thought, new ideas, and new interpretations of timeless traditions. It is our job to make our story accessible to all the members of our community, so we think about how we might best reach each type of new mind: What does the wise mind say?

[Ask an 'open mind' to read the 1st question]

The Wise mind asks... 'What are the testimonies and laws which God commanded us to do?'

You must teach the open mind the rules of observing the holiday of Passover.

[Ask an 'open mind' to read the 2nd question]

The alienated mind asks... 'What does this service mean to you? To you and not to yourself!'

Because when we take ourselves out of the community, we miss the point. It is because of what God did for all of us in taking us out of Mitzraim, out of Egypt.

[Ask an 'open mind' to read the 3rd question]

The Naive mind asks... 'What is this?

With a strong hand God took us out of Egypt, where we were slaves.

[Ask an 'open mind' to read the 4th question]

To the mind who doesn’t know how to ask a question... We prompt this open mind. "Start telling the story: It is because of what God did for us taking us out of Egypt.”

[Possible discussion topics:]

Do you see yourself in any of these open minds? At times we all approach different situations with one of these minds. How do we relate to each of them?


haggadah Section: -- Four Children