Chad Gadya is last of the many songs that will be sung at this year's Passover seder.
It'sfun...and it's joyous...and it speaks to the story of a baby goat that that is purchased for the price of two zuz - an ancient monetary measure.
The goat is eaten by a cat.
The cat is bitten by a dog.
The dog is beaten by a stick.
As retaliation for its beating - the stick is burned by a fire.
The fire is doused by water.
The water is lapped up by a thirsty ox.
The ox is slaughtered by the butcher.
The butcher is then met by the angel of death and dies as a consequence of his actions.
And - it all began because of one small goat.
Each character - I'm told - represents a person or event in the history of the Jews as related to their exodus from Egypt...and altho its ending is a rather dire one - it's meant to be about hope and a positive look towards the future.
* * * * * *
I thought it no accident that the farmer should invite me in - on this day - to see these newborns. Two days old.
Just landed - the farmer said - on this ground. Sweet....curious...so lovable. I wanted to bring one home.
I concluded - that this is my Passover gift.
* * * * * *
The first of the four questions asks: Why is this night different?
This year - everything.