“Why Am I Different?”

The Passover Seder begins with the child’s question: “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

Fundamentally, the question bothering the child is: “Why am I different from children of all other nations?” And we answer: “Our ancestors were once slaves in Egypt, and were it not for the Passover Exodus, we would still be slaves to Pharaoh. But G-d liberated us, and we took upon ourselves His rule as our “Commander-in-Chief.”

Answering this question is key to enable the child to live proudly as a Jew all year round. Not only does it make Judaism logical and meaningful to him, it gives him the confidence to share Judaism with others. And in this way the child, and all those he influences, can experience a modern-day exodus from any of the spiritual constraints in their own lives, freeing them to serve G-d joyously and happily, truly complete and truly liberated.