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FOUR CHILDREN

DISCOVER

In the Haggadah, we meet four children - אַרְבַּע בָּנִים. One is wise, one is wicked, one is simple and one doesn't even know how to ask a question. Let's learn some more about them. Using the Hebrew text, match the Four Children with their questions and with the responses they receive.

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חָכָם מָה הוּא אוֹמֵר? מַה הָעֵדוֹת וְהַחֻקִּים וְהַמִשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶתְכֶם? וְאַף אַתָּה אֱמָר לוֹ כְּהִלְכוֹת הַפֶּסַח: אֵין מַפְטִירִין אַחַר הַפֶּסַח אֲפִיקוֹמָן

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Look for the bolded word in the text above. Can you read it in Hebrew? Do you know what it means? (Click here for help).

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Which child is this text about?

  • the wise child

  • the goofy child

  • the wicked child

  • the simple child

  • the lactose intolerant child

  • the child who doesn't know how to ask

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According to this text we are supposed to teach this child the הלכות הפסח. What do these words mean?

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רָשָׁע מָה הוּא אוֹמֵר? מָה הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּאת לָכֶם? לָכֶם - וְלֹא לוֹ. וּלְפִי שֶׁהוֹצִיא אֶת עַצְמוֹ מִן הַכְּלָל כָּפַר בְּעִקָּר. וְאַף אַתָּה הַקְהֵה אֶת שִנָּיו וֶאֱמֹר לוֹ: בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יְיָ לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם. לִי - וְלֹא לוֹ. אִילּוּ הָיָה שָׁם, לֹא הָיָה נִגְאָל

 

Look for the bolded word in the text above. Can you read it in Hebrew? Do you know what it means? (Click here for help).

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Which child is this text about?

  • the wise child

  • the hungry child

  • the wicked child

  • the simple child

  • the smelly child

  • the child who doesn't know how to ask

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Can you find the Hebrew words in the text above that make up this child's question?

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תָּם מָה הוּא אוֹמֵר? מַה זֹּאת? וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו: בְּחֹזֶק יָד הוֹצִיאָנוּ יְיָ מִמִּצְרָיִם, מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים

 

Look for the bolded word in the text above. Can you read it in Hebrew? Do you know what it means? (Click here for help).

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Which child is this text about?

  • the wise child

  • the wicked child

  • the naughty child

  • the simple child

  • the angry child

  • the child who doesn't know how to ask

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Can you find the Hebrew words in the text above that make up this child's question?

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וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ לִשְׁאוֹל - אַתְּ פְּתַח לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ בַּיוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר, בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יְיָ לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם

 

Look for the bolded word in the text above. Can you read it in Hebrew? Do you know what it means? (Click here for help).

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Which child is this text about?

  • the ugly child

  • the loud child

  • the wicked child

  • the wise child

  • the simple child

  • the child who doesn't know how to ask

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Which Hebrew word in this text means "to ask"? (hint: a שאלה is a question)

Children 2

Goal: This target will enable you to appreciate different learning styles as a model for understanding the Four Children.

 

People learn in all kinds of different ways. Some of us learn best with visuals (things we can see). Others learn best by listening. Still others learn best by using their hands. 

Analyze what kind of learner you are and compare it to the Four Children. Check out this infographic about different kinds of learners. Based on the information on the infographic try and figure out what kind of learner you are. 

Now, watch the video below about the midrash of the Four Children in the הַגָּדָה. 

DISCOVER

Can you draw any parallels between the different types of learners and the Four Children from the הַגָּדָה? Can you relate a particular type of learner with any of the four children?

Children 3

Goal: This target will enable you to associate the four types of learners explained in Pirkei Avot 2:15 with the Four Children in the הַגָּדָה.

 

Connect four types of learners from פִּרְקֵי אָבוֹת ב.טו with the Four Children from the הַגָּדָה.  According to Pirkei Avot 2:15, there are four types of learners. They can be described as:

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  1. a sponge - because it absorbs everything

  2. a funnel - because it lets everything in one end and out the other

  3. a strainer - because it lets the wine through but keeps the sediment

  4. a sieve - because it lets out the bran but keeps the fine flour


Can you draw a connection between these four types of learners and the Four Children in the הַגָּדָה? Which child in the הַגָּדָה is a sponge, a funnel, a strainer and a sieve?

DISCOVER

Children 4

Goal: This target will show your ability to artistically interpret the four children.

 

Create your own illustration of the Four Children based on what you've learned above. Take a look at these illustrations for inspiration. 

PLAY

Children 5

CREATE

Goal: This target will enable you to show your understanding of the different learning styles and the Four Children through a creative process.

 

Create learning opportunities for all kinds of learners at your סֵדֶר. You now know that different types of learners benefit from different modes of instruction: 

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  • A kinesthetic learner will learn more from playing a game (dipping the wine for each plague) than listening to the plagues recited. 

  • An auditory learner will learn more from songs to remember information than reading the information. 

  • A visual learner will learn more from looking at different visual representations of the 4 children than getting oral descriptions. 


In the Haggadah, the midrash about the Four Children is there to teach us the importance of teaching “each child according to his or her own need,” taking into account individual differences between children and different personal learning styles.

Using your knowledge of different learning styles and of the Four Children, create tools to help teach this midrash at your סֵדֶר. You should choose one learning style (kinesthetic, auditory or visual) and create a tool to teach the Four Children to that type of learner. 

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