Weekly Story: Mah Nishtana
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
Since I am preparing a book on the Shpoile Zeide, I decided to post one of his most famous sayings on the Mah Nishtana, which we will be saying this week. If you have any information or stories about his life, please contact me. Thank you!
The custom is that at the beginning of the seder, we first say or sing the fifteen stages of the seder. Then, as we progress along, we mention each stage again but this time we also say its meaning.
The seder begins with kiddush and we say Kaddesh. Then we explain that when the father comes home from shul, he immediately says kiddush in order that the children should not fall asleep, and they should say the Mah Nishtana.
One year the Zeide’s son only said the beginning of this phrase and omitted the final part, “In order that the children should not fall asleep and ask the Mah Nishtana.” His father asked him, “Why didn’t you say that phrase as well?”
“My teacher didn’t teach us that we should say it,” he replied.
The following day the teacher, as well as many others, came to the Zeide’s house. The Zeide asked him, “Why didn’t you teach the children to say the final part of the phrase?”
“I didn’t think it is so important,” he answered.
Visibly upset, the Zeide said, “If this is the tradition among Jews from generation to generation it is important. How can one individual decide on his own to nullify these holy traditions, because he isn’t aware of its significance? Evidently since you are unaware of its deeper meaning, I will explain it to you.
“Ven Der Tatta Kumt Aheim Fun Shul -When the Father comes home from Shul.
In the Torah, the word father is a metaphor for Hashem. At the start of the Seder we recite how Hashem sees how even after the Jews worked so hard preparing for Pesach and rid their homes from all chometz, they come to shul [on the night of the seder] and sing Hallel praising Hashem.
“Macht Er Bald Kiddush-He makes Kiddush Right away.
We are saying to Hashem, Hashem reunite with Your children now. Take them out of exile. (Kiddush has the same root word as Kiddushin which means marriage.)
“Kdei di Kinder zulen nisht ainshlufen un zei vellen fregen to Mah Nishtana
In order that the children should not go to sleep, and they will ask the Mah Nishtana.
Meaning, before the Yidden fall asleep i.e. becoming comfortable with exile), and stop asking you to take them out of the bitter exile.”
The Shpoile Zeide then asks the Rebbi, “How can we omit that?”
May we merit to eat the Korbon Pesach this year in Yerushalayim.
This week’s post is l’zechus our newborn grandson. Mazal Tov Mendel and Mushky! May we merit to raise him to Torah, Chuppa and good deeds.
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran Mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their Chassidim. He can be contacted at avyzonbooks@gmail.com
