Four Questions

The whole point of the seder is to ask questions. This is your time to ask about things that confuse you, things you don’t understand, or even things you don’t agree with. There really is no is no such thing as a stupid question, especially tonight. 

- Joy Levitt (age 16)

Questions are not only welcome during the course of the evening but are vital to tonight’s journey. Our obligation at this seder involves traveling from slavery to freedom, prodding ourselves from apathy to action, encouraging the transformation of silence into speech, and providing a space where all different levels of belief and tradition can co-exist safely. Because leaving Mitzrayim--the narrow places, the places that oppress us—is a personal as well as a communal passage, your participation and thoughts are welcome and encouraged.

We remember that questioning itself is a sign of freedom. The simplest question can have many answers, sometimes complex or contradictory ones, just as life itself is fraught with complexity and contradictions. To see everything as good or bad, matzah or maror, Jewish or Muslim, Jewish or “Gentile”, is to be enslaved to simplicity. Sometimes, a question has no answer. Certainly, we must listen to the question, before answering. 

Why is this night different from all other nights? On this night, we celebrate the beautiful tapestry of traditions that have been woven together in our family.

1. On all other nights, we may call our spiritual practices by different names. Why on this night do we come together to honor our shared journey? We gather tonight because love transcends all boundaries. In our home, we celebrate the miracle of finding each other across different faiths and traditions. This Passover, we honor both the ancient story of liberation and the modern story of our family, united in love and respect.
2. On all other nights, we may have grown up with different stories and symbols. Why on this night do we share this sacred narrative together? Tonight, we recognize that at the heart of all our traditions lies the universal human desire for freedom, dignity, and connection. In sharing the Passover story, we find echoes of our own journeys and create new meanings that embrace all the wisdom our family carries.
3. On all other nights, we might wonder how to honor multiple heritages. Why on this night do we find harmony in our diversity? On this night, we celebrate the unique gifts that each tradition brings to our table. Our different backgrounds don't divide us – they enrich us. Like the charoset on our Seder plate, our interfaith family blends many sweet elements into something greater than the sum of its parts.
4. On all other nights, we might worry about belonging. Why on this night do we affirm that everyone has a place at this table? Tonight, we declare that love makes room for everyone. Our Seder is a testament to the family we've chosen to build – one where questions are welcomed, differences are celebrated, and every person is essential to our story. In opening our hearts to one another, we experience the truest meaning of freedom.

Let this Passover remind us that our interfaith family is not just accepted but celebrated – a living example of how love can create new traditions while honoring ancient ones. May our table always be a place of joy, understanding, and boundless welcome.

¿Qué hace diferente a esta noche de todas las [demás] noches? ¿Ma nishtaná haláila hazé micól haleilót...

1) En todas las noches no precisamos sumergir ni siquiera una vez, ¡y en esta noche lo hacemos dos veces! ...shebejól haleilót éin ánumatbilín afílu paám eját, haláila hazé shtéi peamím?

2) En todas las noches comemos jametz o matzá, ¡en esta noche solamente matzá! ...shebejól haleilót ánu ojlín jamétz umatzá, haláila hazé kuló matzá?

3) En todas las noches comemos cualquier clase de verdura, ¡esta noche maror! ...shebejól haleilót ánu ojlín sheár ieracót, haláila hazé marór?

4) En todas las noches comemos sentados erguidos o reclinados, ¡esta noche todos nos reclinamos!