Arbah, mi yodeah? Who Knows 4?

BY SUSAN SCHWARTZ

Numbers have always had great significance in Judaism: 1 God, 3 Forefathers, 7 Days of the Week, 10 Commandments, etc. Alden Solovy wrote of the upcoming Passover season as “the season of counting: of counting days and nights, of counting the space between slavery of the body and freedom of the soul.” There are 15 parts of the Seder, 10 plagues, 3 matzot, and lots of 4’s: 4 names, 4 questions, 4 children, 4 cups of wine. Each of these quartets helps explain the story of moving from slavery to freedom.

Jews put a lot of consideration and thought into names. In fact, Passover is known by 4 names. Each name represents one of the 4 dimensions of this holiday. Chag HaCherut is the Festival of Freedom. Chag HaPesach, the Festival of making sacrifices. Chag HaMatzot, the Festival of the Unleavened Bread. Chag HaAviv, the Festival of Spring. I would call Passover Chag HaMishpachah, the Festival of Family. What name best describes Passover to you?

It is often said that to be Jewish is to ask questions. During the Passover Seder we ask 4 Questions, beginning with Ma Nishtanah, ‘Why is tonight different from all other nights?’ These questions are traditionally asked in song by the youngest child attending the Passover Seder. Asking questions about the annual reading of the Exodus story connects each of us to our shared history in deeper ways, from generation to generation. What new question will you add this year?

Four times the Torah says that we should tell our children about Passover. The rabbis assumed that this must mean there are 4 different types of children, one wise, one wicked, one simple, and one who does not know how to ask, each needing different answers. The Book of Proverbs says that one should teach a child according to their way (22:6), and the Mishnah says that according to the abilities of the child do you teach them about the Exodus (Pesachim 10:4). Each unique soul creates a stronger community. Which child were you? A Passover Seder wouldn’t be complete without the 4 cups of wine that we are instructed to drink. With each cup we recall the 4 promises made to the Jewish people in Egypt, found in Torah. Y’hotzeiti – I will take you out of Egypt. V’hotzalti – I will rescue you from slavery. V’ga’alti – I will make you free. V’lakachti – I will bring you to the promised land. With each cup of wine during the Seder, we experience these elements of redemption in a spiritual sense, as we see ourselves leaving our own Egypt, moving towards freedom. What 4 promises will you make this year?

So, what’s with all the 4’s at our Passover Seder? As we retell the Exodus story and continue to ask questions, 4 elements teach us important aspects of Judaism. We gather together for the Passover Seder with our family, Chag HaMishpachah. By asking questions, we share our traditions with our children and encourage their questions. We need each unique soul to create a community Our stories, both past and future, are found in Torah when we open our hearts and minds.

Susan Schwartz is a Jewish Educator at LiNK Jewish Buffalo and can be reached at susan@buffalojewishfederation.org