This is a cartoon that was published in the March 24, 1977 edition of The Chicago Sentinel. The “Dayenu” cartoon is signed “Henry Leonard,” a pseudonym comprised of the names of its two creators, Rabbi Henry Rabin and Leonard Pritkin. The cartoon depicts a family sitting around the Seder table. The table is set for the festive Seder meal with a lit candle, filled wine glasses, and table settings. The main character is a young boy who is sitting at the table holding a Haggadah and addressing the rest of the family. The cartoon is probably referring to the tradition that the youngest member of the family recites the “Ma Nishtana,” also known as the “Four Questions.” The caption reads: “Father, wherefore is this night different from all other nights...and you may have 20 seconds in which to answer.” Judging by the expressions on their faces, it seems as if this quip was not received very well by the adults around the table.
The cartoon can be understood in several ways. While it is probably referring to the TV quiz shows that were popular at the time, it might also be lamenting the short attention span or disinterest of the younger generation, who are not interested in the long discussions that traditionally characterize the Seder.
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Passover (Pesach) – Pesach, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from Egypt that is described in the biblical book of Exodus. A main feature of the Pesach celebration is the Seder which is conducted in the home. The text of the Seder, as written in the Haggadah, tells the story of the Exodus with the aid of symbolic foods, songs, and discussion. As a reminder of the rushed manner in which the Israelites left Egypt, matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten during Pesach and chametz (leavened bread) is removed from the home. It is traditional to clean one’s house prior to Pesach and to perform a ceremony to remove and nullify any chametz that is in one’s possession.
Seder – Seder night is a special evening on the first night of Pesach (and the second night in the Diaspora). The Seder is often celebrated in large groups and with extended families and involves the telling of the story of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their delivery from slavery. The story is detailed in the Haggadah which includes quotes from the biblical narration of the Exodus and from other Jewish sources, many of which are sung using traditional melodies. The Seder includes drinking four cups of wine, eating traditional symbolic foods such as matzah and charoset, and playing games that are directed to helping the children present understand the story. Towards the end of the Seder a festive meal is served, usually with foods that are kosher for Pesach and do not include chametz (leavened foods). The Seder has evolved throughout history, and many new traditions have been added, for example, keeping a seat empty for persecuted Jews, interfaith Seders, and special feminist Seders.
Dayenu – “Dayenu” was a weekly cartoon that appeared in Jewish newspapers in the 1950s and 1960s. The cartoon was signed by Henry Leonard, a pseudonym used to represent two people: Rabbi Henry Rabin and the artist Leonard Prikitin. The cartoon, titled “Dayenu” (meaning enough) from the Haggadah was intended to be humorous, sometimes even poking fun at the US Jewish communities at the time. At its peak, “Dayenu” appeared in 50 Jewish newspapers and was later collected in four books.
