MAH NISHTANAH

When we were kids, at our parents’ table, the “fier kashes” began with the introduction: “Futter, ich vill dir frahgen der fier kashehs…” (Father, I want to ask you the Four Questions.) We did them in Yiddish. There were six of us kids (and thank God we are still six), and with a large gap from oldest to youngest, the baby of the family remained the baby for a long, long time.

Then came the grandchildren. They asked the “fier kashes” in Hebrew. Somehow, it wasn’t the same. So, after the baby of the grands was done, we old folks would sing it in Yiddish all over again.

Over the years, our seders were notable for the mishmash of languages spoken at the table. One year, we got to hear the questions in Greek. Another year, the Spanish and French sides of the table “fought it out” for the coveted Best Four Questions award: the lovingly sought after Yiddishe Cup given to the singer(s) of the best version of the questions.

At our house even today, the questions are sung in a minimum of three languages. One year, someone claimed to be able to do them in Klingon! And of course, there is the ever popular pig latin version which always seems to send people into paroxisms of laughter.

So what goes on at your house? What is the most unusual language heard at your seder table? What custom do you have that is uniquely your family’s custom?

Passover is a time when parents speak directly and dramatically to children. The tunes and the languages add to the drama of the moment. For this year, we are working on a reggae version of the questions as an extra add on. So far, it doesn’t look too likely to happen, but, hey, ya never know- you know?