Echad Mi Yodea

Echad Mi Yodea (Yiddish: "Man'dabar uma n'sapar") (Hebrew: אחד מי יודע "echad mi yodea") (Who Knows One?) is a traditional cumulative song sung on Passover and found in the haggadah. It enumerates common Jewish motifs and teachings. It is meant to be fun and humorous, while still imparting important lessons to the children present.

Recitation varies from family to family. The song, first has versions in Yiddish and Hebrew, and many other vernacular languages. Sometimes it is played as a memory game, recited without looking. The song is similar in form to The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Meaning

Although it can appear to be simply a juvenile children's song, an important message is being imparted to those present at the Passover table. The main theme of Passover, and particularly of the Seder, is not only the physical freedom of a nation of slaves. More importantly, it is the spiritual and mental freeing of this people, to become a nation unto G-d, His "Chosen People" . As His people, the Jewish Nation is expected be wholly at one with G-d, and to relate everything in their lives to Him.It is well known that psychologists use word association to reveal the subconscious. Thus, it is at this point in the Seder that the Jews sing this commulative song. After relating G-d's wonders and kindness, and the events of the Exodus, the song demonstrates how everything can and should relate to G-d: "If I say 'One', you think 'G-d!', if I say 'Five', you think 'Books of Moses!'"

History

According to the Encyclopaedia Judaica, this song is first found in Ashkenazi Haggadot of the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in Germany in the 15th century, possibly based on a German folk song "Guter freund ich frage dich", which means "Good friend which I ask".

tructure and text

"Echad Mi Yodea" is a cumulative song, meaning that each verse is built on top of the previous verses. There are thirteen verses.
"The first verse runs:"

:Who knows one?:I know one.:One is our God, in heaven and on earth.
"The second verse:"

:Who knows two?:I know two.:Two are the tablets of the covenant;:One is our God, in heaven and on earth.
"...and so forth. The last verse is:"

:Who knows thirteen?:I know thirteen.:Thirteen are the temperaments of God;:Twelve are the tribes of Israel;:Eleven are the stars of Joseph's dream;:Ten are the [Ten] Commandments;:Nine are the months of pregnancy;:Eight are the days of circumcision;:Seven are the days of the week;:Six are the books of the Mishnah;:Five are the books of the Torah;:Four are the Matriarchs;:Three are the patriarchs;:Two are the tablets of the covenant;:One is our God, in heaven and on earth.
There are variations of this song. This includes where the sixth verse pertains to either the six books of the Mishnah or the six days of creation . Also, the eighth verse can either pertain to the eight days before a circumcision, or the eight candles of a Chanukah menorah. The ninth verse can either pertain to the nine months it takes to make a baby or the number of festivals in Judaism.

External links

* [http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/255529/jewish/Echad-Mi-Yodea.htm Listen to Echad Mi Yodea online]