[HANASHIR:8682] Re: Teaching Chad Gadya

[LSalvay <LSalvay...>]

Adam et al,
Regarding the meaning of Chad Gadya -- yes, it is elusive, and no, I would 
not begin to expect preschoolers (or even elementary schoolers) to comprehend 
its symbolism. But it's a first step -- teaching it to "the son who does not 
know how to ask," as someone suggested. And, if it inspires questioning, then 
it has fulfilled its purpose at the Seder.

According to "A Family Haggadah II" by Shoshana Silberman (KAR-BEN COPIES, 
1997) and corroborated by other annotated haggadot, the song's meaning is as 
follows:

"Chad Gadya is an allegory describing Israel's history. The kid is Israel, 
purchased with 2 zuzim, the 2 tablets of the law. Next is a list of Israel's 
oppressors: the cat is Assyria; the dog, Babylonia; the stick, Persia; the 
fire, Greece; the water, Rome; the ox, the Saracens; the butcher, the 
Crusaders; the Angel of Death, the Ottomans. But the song ends with an 
expression of hope, that the Holy One will bring peace and eternal life to 
the people of Israel."

In short, I explain the song to my students (of any age) as meaning that God 
is powerful over even the most powerful person or thing on earth. And it is 
God's ultimate power that has enabled the Jews to survive, even after all 
these other oppressors have been "swallowed up." (And isn't that the story of 
Pesach, after all?)

Meanwhile, I want to express my thanks to all of you who responded with such 
thoughtful and supportive comments on the merits of teaching Chad Gadya to 
young children. It's truly wonderful to know that as Jewish music teachers 
and songleaders, we're "all in this together," and that what we do and how we 
do it (and how we think about it) can bolster the efforts of our peers across 
the country (and around the world.)

However, I must tell you that the director of the JCC preschool called me 
today to tell me that she polled the veteran teachers at the school, and they 
all felt that Chad Gadya was inappropriate for preschoolers. Therefore, I 
have been asked to cease teaching it (although I will teach it this Sunday at 
Religious School at my synagogue, just as I have done for the last 12 years 
with no negative reactions.)  Needless to say, I'm more than a little 
dismayed -- but if it's pablum they want, I guess I'm obligated to provide 
it. (And I wonder how much longer I'll be teaching at this preschool...)

Thanks again to all,
Linda Salvay
Prairie Village, KS 
(metro Kansas City) 

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+