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Torah Portion

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for they are, essentially, the founda-
tion of Jewish life. If we are com-
manded to relive the Exodus "from
generation to generation," then we
must continue the discussion
between our generations of what
exodus, freedom, faith and Judaism
mean to us.
We are all familiar with the
Haggada's description of four types
of children/students, the text based
on four verses from the Torah which
he Passover festival is a
mention children asking about the
time for asking questions.
festival. The Talmud counsels, "The
There are formalized
parent must teach each
queries of the
child according to the level
Haggada which we recite at
of understanding." But let
our seder tables. There are
us recognize that there are
the "How are you?" and
four types of Jewish par-
"What's new?" discussions
ent/teacher, also: the wise,
with those whom we have
the wicked, the superficial
not seen for a while. There
and the one who does not
are the debates over recipes,
know how to reply.
melodies, afikomen hiding
What does the wise par-
places and one's preference
ent
do? He realizes how
for hard or soft matza balls.
important
Jewish study
RABBI
There are the tests of
and
practice
are. She
NORMAN
T
knowledge which parents
encourages
her
family's
ROMAN
and grandparents devise to
search
for
Jewish
commit-
display their children's
Special to the
ment
and
knowledge.
Wise
knowledge (this year
Jewish News
teachers
are
those
who,
if
enhanced, of course, by
they
don't
know
the
•
.many quips of, "Is that
answers, enthusiastically say, "I don't
your final answer?").
know. Let's go and search together."
Yet there are also profound ques-
What does the wicked parent say?
tions which can be posed in our
She
argues against or makes fun of
families and community at Pesach
others'
interest in Jewish life. She
time: questions of our commitment,
puts obstacles in the path of mature
understanding and hope for the
religious practice or refuses to make
Jewish future.
distinctions between that which is
Indeed, they are questions to be
holy or secular. Wicked adults are
asked and answered throughout the
those who do nothing to set exam-
year.
ples
for the next generation, who do
The Torah tells us that our chil-
nothing
for the Jewish future.
dren will ask about the meaning of
What
about superficial parents?
Passover: "What does this ritual
What
do
they say? They are adults
mean to you?" The rabbis consider
who cry out, Ma zot? ("What is
this and respond with various sug-
this?") when their children ask to do
gestions. Rabbi Levi taught that it is
more Jewish things. They are the
not good for children to ask ques-
unaffiliated, the non-supportive.
tions, for if they are asking too
They
identify themselves as Jews but
much, it means they are ignorant,
simply
do not allow themselves more
"and ignorance carries its own warn-
intensive
commitment or education.
ing for the future."
Their
compromises
away from the
But other sages disagreed, teach-
ing that children's questions are a
good sign; they demonstrate interest
and curiosity and this "suggests hope
for the future." I agree with this
position.
Can you give examples from
Our students of all ages are asking
your experience of the four types
many questions. If we don't respond
of children? Of parents? What
to them, they will give up asking.
kind of person makes the best
Questions and answers must not end
teacher and why? What is a les-
with the Passover seder experience,
son you have learned from your
children?
Norman Roman is rabbi at Temple
Kol Ami.
\ \N;
W:MaPs.:;W: W " M at W -N•AW

Shabbat Chol HaMoed
Passover:
Exodus 33:12-34•26•
Numbei,s 28:19-25;
Ezekiel 37.1-14.

T

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