Four Sons, One Family

At the very start of the Seder, the Haggadah makes clear that “The Torah speaks of four sons” – a Jew is commanded to gather around his table not only the wise son, but also the simple son, the uneducated son, and even the wicked son. And they must know that this directive comes from Torah itself. Torah itself commands that they be included. And when the Seder is conducted properly in all of its details, then all four sons conclude the Seder together, proclaiming in unison and with one voice: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

“Next year in Jerusalem!” does not mean, G-d forbid, that we must wait a year for redemption. Rather we are still anticipating the fulfillment of the “Next year in Jerusalem!” that we proclaimed at last year’s Seder. And when all fours sons at the Seder join in brotherly love, then G-d will keep His promise – as Maimonides rules: “Torah promises that at the end of the exile the Jews will return to G-d and immediately they will be redeemed.”