Had Gadya: A Parable for Our Times (A Passover Message)

Dear Hevre/community,

Most Passover seders end with a version of the song Had Gadya. It is a long song, but one with which we can also have some fun. As a child, I remember my mother and her sisters always competing to see who could sing each verse the fastest. By the time they got to the loooooooong final verse, the three of them were usually laughing so hard that they couldn't finish. Today, I still try to compete with their memories to see how fast I can sing it without tripping over the words or laughing.

However, the meaning behind Had Gadya isn't so funny, as it tells the story of how nation after nation has tried to destroy the Jewish people. However, since in the end, we always prevailed, we can sing about it. Even after the tragedy of the Holocaust (which occurred long after the song was written) we were eventually able to have fun with the song, because laughing as a response to danger has long been a Jewish response. Just look at the holiday of Purim, just one month ago!

These days we are in the midst of a difficult and dangerous time. Not only is there suffering and sickness around us, but we are unable to be together with those we love in order to give support. Most of us will celebrate Passover with ourselves, just a few people, and with others online perhaps.

Yet, even though these are difficult times, we must find the ability to enjoy the beauty in the world and laugh a little. As we read in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes/Kohelet (chapter 3): “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven; [including] a time to weep and a time to laugh...”

Often the time for weeping and laughing are linked to one another, or even concurrent. That is certainly true these days. For even as we weep, we must try to laugh as well. I realize that this may not be possible for those who are suffering from the virus, or who have loved ones who are sick, or who have died. And that's an important reality to remember. Yet, immediately following the verse above, Kohelet states that there is “a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

We may not be able to laugh or dance at this moment, but eventually, with the help of God, family, and community, we will again. So if you are not able to rejoice and laugh at Had Gadya right now, you will be able in the future.

For those of us who can take the opportunity to celebrate Passover in the midst of these troubled times, I hope the Had Gadya video below brings a smile to your face. However, we also need to remember to think of and prayer for those in need of healing. That's why I'm adding Debbie Friedman's Mi Shebeirach healing prayer to my seder this year.


You can find the translation of Had Gadya below.  And you can click here if you'd like to learn more about the song and get an explanation of its meaning, to which I referred above.

May we each find a way to celebrate Passover in as meaningful and celebratory a manner as is possible. And don't be hard on yourself if you find this difficult to do. After all, we're only human!

It is traditional to end the seder with the worlds l'shanah ha'baah bi'yerushalayim “Next year in Jerusalem.” For this year I'd like to change that to “Next Year together in celebration.” Amen.

Hag Sameach – Happy Passover,
Rabbis Steve

Chad Gadya (one little goat)

That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya.

Then came a cat and ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came a stick and beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came fire and burnt the stick, that beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came water and quenched the fire, that burnt the stick, that beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came the ox and drank the water, that quenched the fire, that burnt the stick, that beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came the butcher and slaughtered the ox, that drank the water, that quenched the fire, that burnt the stick, that beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came the Angel of Death and killed the butcher, that slaughtered the ox, that drank the water, that quenched the fire, that burnt the stick, that beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came the Holy One, Blessed be He and slew the the Angel of Death, that killed the butcher, that slaughtered the ox, that drank the water, that quenched the fire, that burnt the stick, that beat the dog, that bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

Then came a dog and bit the cat, that ate the goat, That Father bought for two zuzim, Chad gadya. Chad gadya. 

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