For those who do not recognize the title, it is the beginning of each of 4 questions that are asked at the Seder, the Jewish Passover feast.
I describe myself as an athiest, but I am of Jewish heritage, and attending my family's Seder each year is my one remaining tie to jewish traditions and one that I value very much.
Why is this night different from all other nights?
At the Seder, the questions are asked by the youngest person at the table so that the meaning of the ritual can be explained.
I will be channeling my 8 year old son asking 4 questions to explain my personal reactions to tonights historic event.
Update: Thanks, Elise for the rescue. I loved the speech. My 8 year old got the questions answered, but the late bedtime was a little much. He fell asleep 20 minutes in. On the other hand, my 13 year old sat rapt in attention with my wife and me. I get misty-eyed thinking that I became politically aware with Watergate and they will become aware with Obama; quite the contrast.
Why is this night different from all other nights? On other nights you make jokes when politicians are talking. Tonight you are listening attentively.
This night is different because tonight we are seeing a speech for the ages.
Barack Obama will look back to acknowledge history, but he will mostly look forward to talk about what needs to be done. I truly believe that we are watching a great president in the making. I want to hear and remember all of his words, because I think that they will inspire me through dark times that will surely come in the months and years ahead. America is a place for dreams, and though our finest dreams can never fully come true our great leaders know that we must always aspire to live out our best ideals.
I was born in 1963, after Martin Luther King announced his dream from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I was too young to understand the import when he was killed. As I grew older, though, he became my hero. I wanted to be just like him, even though I was a Jewish Kid from New York with no particular talent for public speaking. Great words have tremendous power, and tonight we are seeing a politician worthy of Dr. King's legacy.
Why is this night different from all other nights? On other nights you talk to me about school, or my friends or play games or read. Tonight you are making me watch a speech.
This night is different because history is being made.
150 years ago, the Civil War had not yet begun. Slavery, the dark stain on our nation's conscience was still the law of the land.
100 years ago, Slavery had ended, but there were still unchallenged legal and illegal barriers to an equal society. Segregation was enforced by law and the KKK still ruled many areas with terror.
50 years ago, the Civil rights movement was beginning to have some success. Segregated schools were at least officially illegal. The NAACP started sit-ins at lunch counters, and Martin Luther King published his first book. But President Eisenhower still said that Civil Rights should be introduced "gradually."
Tonight, for the first time, we will see a man with colored skin take the stage to accept the nomination of a major party. The history of our country is a long and rocky road toward living up to our ideals. This will not end problems between the races in this country, but it will be remembered forever as a milestone.
Why is this night different from all other nights? On other nights you do not pay attention to peoples race or religion. You tell me that actions are more important than color or beliefs. But tonight you are paying attention to the fact that this man is African American, and that he is Christian.
This night is different because tonight we celebrate unity.
In the 1950's and 60's many groups came together in the Civil Rights movement. Blacks, of course, but also Urban Jews like my parents, Rich Catholics like the Kennedys and many others from the wonderful tapestry that is America. This country works best when we work together and celebrate our diversity. We may not look like Barack Obama, and we may not share his belief in God, but we share his ideals for what this country can me. In the 1970's and 80's and even up to this day, relationships between Blacks and Jews have been frayed and tense. I want to make sure that you understand how wrong that is. When I was in Hebrew School, a wise teacher said to me, "as a Jew, fight for everyone's rights, because whoever they start with, you're next." On a more positive note, I have always believed that we are all in this world together for good or for ill, and we must unite to make the progress that we seek.
Why is this night different from all other nights? On other nights you make me go to bed, but tonight you are letting me stay up late.
This night is different because I want to share this time with you.
When I was 5, my parents let me stay up to watch the moon landing. One dream of Mankind was being realized, and they knew it would not be enough to show me pictures the next day. Yes, I could record this and watch it with you tomorrow, but there are some events that must be savored live. I want you to remember this night for the rest of your life as the beginning of a new chapter in America's troubled racial history. I want you to know how important I think the fight for justice is. I could be watching this at a party with other Obama supporters, but I want to pass on to you, my son, my feelings that this is our moment.