Echad mi yodea, the Passover song of numbers, sung in all (or almost !) Jewish traditions
Performed at the end of the Passover Seder, between Hadir hu and Chad gadya, the song of numbers Echad mi yodea is a cumulative song (each verse recalls the one before) which proclaims the unity of God and allows children to show their Biblical knowledge while learning to count (each number is related to a very important Jewish fact).
The last stanza is the following :
” Thirteen are God’s principles; Twelve are the tribes of Israel; Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream; Ten are the Commandments; Nine are the months of childbirth; Eight are the days before circumcision; Seven are the days of the week; Six are the sections 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. “
Traditionally, this song, originally in Hebrew, is sung also in the various Jewish dialects (Judeo-Alsacian, Yiddish, Comtadine, Judeo-Spanish, Judeo-Arab…).
- Learn more on the three Passover songs : Adir hu, Echad mi yodea and Chad gadya
- Learn more about the Passover holiday
- Listen to the playlist Chad gadya
