Ma nishtana

Transliteration contains repetitions that are used while singing the tune featured in the recording:

Ma nishtana haleilah hazeh mikol haleilot? Mikol haleilot?

Shebechol haleilot anu ochlin chametz umatzah, chametz umatzah. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh - kulo matzah. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh - kulo matzah.

Shebechol haleilot anu ochlin she'ar yerakot - she'ar yerakot. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh maror, maror. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh maror, maror.

Shebechol haleilot ein anu matbilin afilu pa'am echat, afilu pa'am echat. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh, shetei pe'amim. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh, shetei pe'amim.

Shebechol haleilot anu ochlin bein yoshvin u'vein mesubin, bein yoshvin u'vein mesubin. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh kulanu mesubin. Haleilah hazeh, haleilah hazeh kulanu mesubin.

Why is this night different from all other nights?

1. On all other nights, we eat either leavened or unleavened bread. Why, on this night, do we eat only unleavened bread?

2. On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs. Why, on this night, do we eat especially bitter herbs?

3. On all other nights, we do not dip herbs in any condiment. Why, on this night, do we dip them in salt water and ḥaroses?

4. On all other nights, we eat without special festivities. Why, on this night, do we hold this Seder service?
(Literal translation - on all other nights we may eat both sitting and reclining. Why, on this night, are we all reclining?)

Translation based on the Union Haggadah (1923), by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The work is in the public domain.

Traditionally recited by the youngest person at the Passover seder before magid, the portion of the seder in which the story of the exodus from Egypt is recounted.

See the full 1923 Union Haggadah on Sacred Texts.