Who Knows One?
By RABBI PETER H. SCHWEITZER
Who Knows One?—Echad Mi Yodea in Hebrew—is one of the songs traditionally sung during the concluding
portion of the Passover seder. Though
the origins of the song are unclear, by the 16th century it was
included in some European Passover haggadot (Passover texts). Over the centuries, this Passover song was adapted
to the many traditions and cultures where Jews lived. This irreverent version,
taken from the Liberated Haggadah: A Passover Celebration for
Cultural, Secular and Humanistic Jews (The Center for Cultural Judaism, 2003), composed by Rabbi Peter
Schweitzer, is a secular adaptation of the song. The fun of Who Knows One?, for adults and youth alike, is the
challenge of singing the response in one breath! This rendition reflects the
values of contemporary secular Jews and the Passover messages of liberation,
justice, and freedom.
"Who Knows One?"
By Rabbi Peter H. Schweitzer
Q. Who knows One?
A. One? I know One. One is the Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for
people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Two?
A. Two? I know Two. Two are the Air and the Earth that we must protect and One
is the Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Three?
A. Three? I know Three. Three are the Values: Mercy, Justice, and Peace. Two
are the Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of Enlightenment, which gives
light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Four?
A. Four? I know Four. Four are the Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Three are the Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of
Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Five?
A. Five? I know Five. Five are the Senses with which we perceive the world:
Sight, Touch, Taste, Smell, and Hearing. Four are the Seasons, Three are the
Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of Enlightenment,
which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Six?
A. Six? I know Six. Six are the Degrees of Separation that connect us together.
Five are the Senses, Four are the Seasons, Three are the Values, Two are the
Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for
people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Seven?
A. Seven? I know Seven. Seven are the Seas we have traveled around the world.
Six are the Degrees of Separation, Five are the Senses, Four are the Seasons,
Three are the Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of
Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Eight?
A. Eight? I know Eight. Eight are the Steps of the Ladder of Charity. Seven are
the Seas, Six are the Degrees of Separation, Five are the Senses, Four are the
Seasons, Three are the Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the
Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Nine?
A. Nine? I know Nine. Nine are the Months from conception to birth. Eight are
the Steps of Giving, Seven are the Seas, Six are the Degrees of Separation,
Five are the Senses, Four are the Seasons, Three are the Values, Two are the
Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for
people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Ten?
A. Ten? I know Ten. Ten are the Commandments we impose upon ourselves. Nine are
the Months from conception to birth, Eight are the Steps of Giving, Seven are
the Seas, Six are the Degrees of Separation, Five are the Senses, Four are the
Seasons, Three are the Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the
Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Eleven?
A. Eleven? I know Eleven. Eleven are the Odd Moments of delight that catch us
by surprise. Ten are the Commandments, Nine are the Months from conception to
birth, Eight are the Steps of Giving, Seven are the Seas, Six are the Degrees
of Separation, Five are the Senses, Four are the Seasons, Three are the Values,
Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of Enlightenment, which
gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows Twelve?
A. Twelve? I know Twelve. Twelve are the Tribes we claim for ancestors. Eleven
are the Moments of Surprise, Ten are the Commandments, Nine are the Months from
conception to birth, Eight are the Steps of Giving, Seven are the Seas, Six are
the Degrees of Separation, Five are the Senses, Four are the Seasons, Three are
the Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the Flame of
Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
Q. Who knows thirteen?
A. Thirteen? I know Thirteen. Thirteen are the Superstitions and Bubbe Mayses we reject. Twelve are the
Tribes, Eleven are the Moments of Surprise, Ten are the Commandments, Nine are
the Months from conception to birth, Eight are the Steps of Giving, Seven are
the Seas, Six are the Degrees of Separation, Five are the Senses, Four are the
Seasons, Three are the Values, Two are the Air and the Earth, and One is the
Flame of Enlightenment, which gives light for people all over the world.
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