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Real curiosity is born out of experience, not something recited from a script — right? But the Four Questions are really just prompts. Nothing says you have to stop there; at a seder, we are all free to ask any questions we like.
Here are some activities to encourage asking questions at the seder – or any dinner table.
Make Your Own Question Catcher
Easy Activity: Make a Question Jar
And if you still need some brushing up on the Four Questions, here’s a singalong video from BimBam to help you practice:
If you liked this story, you’ll love one of these books:
Known as the Mah Nishtanah in Hebrew, the Four Questions are traditionally posed by the youngest child at a Passover seder, the ritual holiday meal. The answers to these questions bring the conversation around to the story of the Exodus, when the ancient Israelites fled Egypt and left their days of slavery behind. Rita’s buddy Al is working hard to learn the Four Questions – just like you might be! Here are some other stories that highlight the importance of the Four Questions.
More tips to get you ready to say the Four Questions
Episode Notes
Whether you sing them or speak them, in English or Hebrew, alone or with a partner—the Four Questions are a highlight of the seder. And every question starts out the same way: “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
The poem that Al reads at the end of the episode is a chapter from Uncle Eli’s Passover Haggadah by Eliezer Segal.
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Alli Thresher
“Dr. Seuss’ Four Questions” used with permission from Uncle Eli’s Passover Haggadah, by Eliezer Segal, available through No Starch Press in San Francisco.
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Al: Rich Wentworth
Four Question Narration: Lori Hoch Stiefel