Use The Passover Seder To Explain To Kids What Freedom Truly Means

First, the Haggadah talks about freedom from slavery. It is difficult or perhaps impossible for a child brought up in Canada to really understand the concept and its physical and mental implications. I was 60 when I first met a former African child slave and listened to his story. I have more recently met Yazidis who were slaves of ISIS. However it is still a concept that is difficult for me.

I think it must be more difficult for children to understand the full meaning and implications of “We were slaves in Egypt.” It needs more explanation.

Similarly asking Di Fir Kashes – the 4 questions – is important for kids, but it is not enough. The text deals with the wise, wicked, simple, and “unable to ask” sons. It omits daughters completely and does not advise average kids, who, after all, are the majority of kids at a seder table.

The 4 questions then deal with technical questions or analysis, not with what really interests and is important to children.

The questions, which must be age appropriate, might include, “what is my purpose in life, how do I become fit and healthy, what skills do I need, what job interests me, who am I, how do I develop commitment and drive, how do I become a mensch, and of course, if not now, when; if I am not for myself who will be for me; and if not now, when?”