The Four Questions

How to say the 'Mah Nishtanah.'

The Four Questions are featured prominently in most Passover Haggadahs and come early in the Maggid section of the Passover seder. They are traditionally recited or sung by the youngest person at the table. Find alternative and multilingual versions of The Four Questions here.

The Four Questions in Hebrew

מַה נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת? שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה – כֻּלּוֹ מַצָּה.שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת – הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה (כֻּלּוֹ) מָרוֹר. שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אָנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּעַם אֶחָת – הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים. שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין – הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָּנוּ מְסֻבִּין.

The Four Questions in Transliteration

Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilot?

Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin hametz umatzah; halailah hazeh, kuloh matzah.

Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin sh’ar y’rakot; halailah hazeh, maror.

Sheb’khol haleilot ein anu matbilin afilu pa’am ehat; halailah hazeh, shtei f’amim.

Sheb’khol haleilot anu okhlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin; halailah hazeh, kulanu m’subin.


Listen to the Four Questions in Hebrew (courtesy of Hadar):


The Four Questions in English Translation

Why is this night different from all other nights?

On all other nights we eat leavened products and matzah, and on this night only matzah.

On all other nights we eat all vegetables, and on this night only bitter herbs.

On all other nights, we don’t dip our food even once, and on this night we dip twice.

On all other nights we eat sitting or reclining, and on this night we only recline.

Video in Transliteration, Hebrew and Translation

Got kids? Check out this handy guide to teaching the Mah Nishtanah to children.

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Discover More

Mah Nishtanah: An Invitation to Dialogue

The various meanings of this well-known Seder phrase.

Where To Find Songs for Your Passover Seder

Online resources for Passover recordings, lyrics, sheet music and more.

Maggid: Telling the Passover Story at the Seder

This lengthy section of the Passover seder tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt.