"Ma Nishtana"

The Four Questions

At the Passover seder, it is traditional for the youngest child to ask "the four questions". These are questions abuot the difference between the Passover meal and regular meals.

According to Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, the tradition of the four questions started in ancient times, when the meal was eaten before the seder was conducted. In modern times, the seder before the meal explains the significance of each item on the Passover table and therefore, the four questions are really unnecessary, but the tradition continues nonetheless.

What makes this night different from all other nights...
That on all other nights we eat leavened and unleavened bread
but on this night we eat only unleavened bread?
That on all other nights we eat all kinds of greens
but on this night we eat only bitter herbs?
That on all other nights we don't dip even once
but on this night we dip twice?
That on all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining
but on this night we all recline?

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