Ma Nishtana
?מַה נִּשְּׁתַּנָה הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה - כֻּלּוֹ מַצָּה
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אָנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּעַם אֶחָת, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָּנוּ מְסֻבִּין
What makes this night different from all [other] nights?
On all nights we need not dip even once, on this night we do so twice!
On all nights we eat chametz or matzah, and on this night only matzah.
On all nights we eat any kind of vegetables, and on this night maror!
On all nights we eat sitting upright or reclining, and on this night we all recline!
I think the kids shine in this section because they bring an innocent opinion to a matter which would be complicated if answered by adults. I think that the adults get more out of seeing the children respond than the children themselves do. The adults get to see the thought process of their children. They get to take a step back and observe. -Dan
I believe Ma Nishtana reflects the importance of going beyond just moving through the motions in Judaism. We are encouraged to connect to Judaism by being inquisitive, and exploring what gives us meaning and purpose in the tradition and teachings. Children ask the adults why they partake in each of the traditions, and in this way, see what Jewish values they represent. This is what it means to be Jewish - not just doing the traditions, but finding/assigning meaning in them - the why. -Kobi
The general tenor of Mah Nishtanah is that Pesach is different from all other nights! In many ways, it is a night in which kids should participate, hence the purpose of this haggadah! Perhaps, on all other nights, the conversation is left for the adults, but on Pesach, kids should be involved too. -Noah