Passover 5778 Dvar Torah

By Fifth and Sixth Grade Judaic Studies Teacher Laura Marder

Dor V’Dor, דור ודור, usually translated as “Generation to Generation” is a common phrase heard at Passover seders and throughout the Jewish year. It is often defined as the idea that the older generation passes ideas, history, values, and traditions down to the younger generation.

This phrase ran through my mind as I walked down Smith Street on March 14th with a group of middle school students to join the National School Walkout gathering at Boerum Hall. As I watched for cars while we crossed busy intersections, I realized that I was not leading these kids, but merely ensuring their safe passage as they lead the way with their concerned and and passionate voices. The Walkout made me realize that dor v’dor דור ודור is usually mistranslated.  The letter “vav” between the two words dor, means “and” not “to. So the phrase should actually be translated as Generation AND Generation. The older generation is not just responsible to pass down information to the younger, but rather to exchange information with one another and let the younger generation take the lead at times.

We see this lesson in our Passover story and structure of the seder. In Exodus 14, the Israelites wait at the of the Red Sea as Moshe cries up to G-d for help. G-d replies; “’Why are you crying out to me? Speak to the children of Israel so that they will go forward.” The Rabbis explain that a young man named Nachshon steps forward and enters the sea. The sea then splits open and the Israelites are able to walk through safely. Why didn’t G-d just open the waters and tell the people to go through, reassuring them that it would all be ok? Why did it take a young person to lead the way? G-d did not start our journey as a free people by telling us exactly what to do, but by setting the stage for the younger generation to step forward.

In our seder, just before the youngest child reads the Four Questions, The Talmud tells us to remove the seder plate from the table and pour the next glass of wine, but not to drink it. Rashi and Rashbam agree that this unusual sequence is meant to inspire the children to ask questions such as “why can’t we eat yet? Why is the drink being poured that I’m not allowed to drink.” We can’t just jump right into teaching, we need to inspire curiosity and create that opportunity for children to take the first step and find their own voices.

What questions will you ask this year as you look at what is set before you? How will you set the stage for your children and what will you learn from their questions?

May we all enjoy a Passover where we are mindful of this idea of sharing between generation AND generation.