Children at the Seder

As we prepare for Pesach and the Seder, we must not forget the most important people attending this great annual event. These are the children, who must be the primary focus.

There are two Torah laws that we fulfill on this night. The first is, בערב תאכלו מצות, that on that night we must eat Matza. And the second Torah law is והגדת לבנך, and you shall tell it to your son.

Many interpret this second law as the obligation to recite the Haggada and tell the Pesach story. But the real interpretation is that the children must be told the Pesach story.

We need to find ways to keep the children involved in the Seder. This is why the stealing of the Afikomen was instituted, in order to keep them awake and excited. If we can come up with games or ideas to keep the children at the table, that would be ideal. They should be encouraged to ask questions as the leader of the Seder tries to come up with tricks, games, and even bribes, to keep them awake.

The point is that we want our children to have positive memories, and to look forward to this special day of the year. It is meant to allow our children to feel that they are a part of the history that is evolving. Their Passover experience might be the difference in keeping them connected to Judaism as they reach adulthood and need to overcome all that might tempt them to lose their connection to the Jewish people.

We must focus on the children, as they are the most important people at the Seder.