One of the most helpful and practical recommendation I can share is to prepare for the Seder a list of 20 to 30 questions at different levels. The adult in charge, the MC of the Seder, should have these questions at hand, along with a bag of prizes. When it’s time to regain people’s attention—whether children or adults—or to start a new step or combat boredom, the MC should ask a question and show the prize.
If done correctly, kids will immediately connect to it. If there are people at your Seder who are very knowledgeable and always answer correctly, you can choose who should try to answer each question first so it’s not always the same person winning.
Save the most attractive prizes for the end.
I now share some examples of questions for various levels of knowledge.
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In which month and on what day of the month do we celebrate Pesach?
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How long is Pesach celebrated in Israel, and how many days is it celebrated outside of Israel?
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What do we celebrate on the seventh day of Pesach? (=The splitting of the sea)
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Why were the Bene Israel commanded to mark their doorposts on the night of the Exodus?
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What are the five grains that can become Chametz?
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What are the three elements necessary for something to become Chametz? (=One of the 5 grains + water + time)
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Describe the process of producing Matza. What grains do we use?
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Describe three foods that are Chametz and three foods that are not Chametz.
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What is the amount of Chametz that makes a food forbidden for Pesach? (=Before Pesach: 1/60. During Pesach: any amount, even 1/1000)
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Do we need to check if soap and shampoo are Kosher for Pesach? (No. They are not edible items.)
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How do we make an oven Kosher for Pesach?
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What is bedikat Chametz?
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What is bitul Chametz? (=Declaring our Chametz ownerless)
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What is the difference between regular Matza and Shemura Matza? (=Shemura is watched from the moment of harvesting; regular Matza, from when the wheat becomes flour.)
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What were the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt before the Exodus?
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What blessing do we say when we eat Matza at the Seder? (=Two blessings)
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What do the four cups of wine at the Seder represent?
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What unique handwashing do we have at the Seder, and what does it mean?
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How is charoset made? Name three ingredients.
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List the steps of the Seder.
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What is Yachatz in the Seder?
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How and when do we recline during the Seder, and why?
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What is the afikoman, and what does it symbolize in the Seder?
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What is the meaning of the text Vehi She’amda?
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What is the meaning of דצ”ך עד”ש באח”ב?
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How many years did the people of Israel live in Egypt?
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Name five things for which we thank HaShem in Dayenu.
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What types of foods do we avoid during Pesach?
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Name the brother of Moshe and the sister of Moshe.
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What were the names of Moshe’s mother and father?
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What does the dipping of karpas in vinegar or salt water symbolize?
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Who are the four sons of the Haggadah?
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Who rescued Moshe from the Nile River?
