This series is devoted to short but complete Torah morsels that
can be used at the seder. This series is reprinted from
Rashi is Simple with permission of the author, myself.
Complete postings may be found at http://www.shamash.org/rashi/
In this unit we review
>WHY we associate the 4 SONS with the 4 vereses cited
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v2d13-5 .& you'll do this service..eat matzoth.tell your son
======
RASHI TEXT:
===========
v2d13-5 The preceding parshah 2-12-26 taught principles of PEDAGOGY
to the WICKED SON. This parshah repeats the same items but
with the principles of PEDAGOGY to the APATHETIC SON. The
Torah teaches us that you should teach the APATHETIC son by
opening his heart up with agaddahs and stories.
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
=========================================
{LIST1} presents the 4 Biblical chapters where telling
children about Egypt is a theme. Each chapter
deals with a different TYPE OF PEDAGOGY. The principles are
outlined in the various Rashis. Right now let us JUSTIFY the
NAMES given to these 4 sons.
By comparing HOW these children ask their question we
can infer their basic characteristics.
As {LIST2} shows the WICKED SON "SAYS" his question,
rhetorically and cynically
>2-12-26 "When your children "SAY" to you"
vs
>2-13-14 "When your child "ASKS" you
Thus the WICKED
>"SAYS" his question
while the others
>"ASK"
He is called wicked because he rhetorically asks.
WICKED is identified with SKEPTICISM and lack of interest
in learning.
The APATHETIC does NOT ASK; while the other 3 ASK a question.
In other words the Biblical chapters of the other 3 sons look like
>when so and so ASKS you
>then TELL him
By contrast in the APATHETIC son chapter the form is
>TELL HIM (There is no question)
he is called apathetic, because he lacks interest.
Of the remaining two sons who ASK:
The SIMPLE son only says
>WHAT IS THIS
The WISE son asks lots of details
>(What are testimonials...)
Notice How we identify WISE = LOTS OF DETAILS {LIST3}.
The translation "APATHETIC" vs "CAN"T ASK" is due to Rabbi
Soloveitchick who pointed out that a child who
>CAN"T ASK is really SIMPLE--
hence he prefers to translate
>CAN"T ASK=DOESN"T CARE TO ASK.
Rabbi Soloveitchick also pointed out that the statement
>"There are 4 sons"
does not mean
>"Each child is one of these 4"
but rather means
>"Each child is a MIXTURE of these 4 types".
In other words the 4 sons are 4 TYPOLOGIES---pure personalities.
Every REAL child is some mixture of these 4.
Thus we will speak about the WICKED, APATHETIC, SIMPLE and
WISE chapters or sons.
LISTS
=====
{LIST1} {Of Biblical chapters where teaching
children about Egypt is mentioned. The use of this list
should be clear--for example: The APATHETIC column shows
that the chapter on the apathetic son BEGINS in verse
2-13-5 and FINISHES in v2-13-10}
VERSE WICKED APATHETIC*1 SIMPLE WISE
===== ======= ========== ========== =====
FROM 2-12-24 2-13-5 2-13-11 5-6-20
TO 2-12-27 2-13-10 2-13-16 5-6-25
FOOTNOTES:
==========
*1 The translation "APATHETIC" vs "CAN"T ASK" is due to Rabbi
Soloveitchick who pointed out that a child who CAN"T ASK is
really SIMPLE--hence he prefers to translate CAN'T ASK=
DOESN'T CARE TO ASK.
Rabbi Soloveitchick also pointed out that the statement "There
are 4 sons" does not mean "Each child is one of these 4" but
rather means "Each child is a MIXTURE of these 4 types". In other
words the 4 sons are 4 TYPOLOGIES---pure personalities. Every
REAL child is some mixture of these 4.
{LIST2} {Of how questions are asked by the 4 sons *1}
SON VERSE TEXT
=== ======= ====
Wicked 2-12-26 And when your son SAYS *2 to you WHAT IS..
Simple 2-13-14 And when your son ASKS you..
Wise 5-6-20 when your son ASKS
FOOTNOTES:
=========
*1 The chapter on the APATHETIC son (2-13-1:10) does not, like
the other 3 sons, have a verse of the form "..when your son ASKS
you..." Hence this chapter corresponds to what our sages call
the child who doesn't care to ask = The APATHETIC SON.
*2 The WICKED "SAYS" his question while the others "ASK"
He is called wicked because he rhetorically asks.
"WICKED" is identified with SKEPTICISM and lack of interest
in learning.
{LIST3} {Biblical texts of the 2 children--simple and wise--
who ask their question}
SON VERSE TEXT
=== ===== ====
Simple *1 2-13-14 What is this
Wise *1 5-6-20 What are the testimonials,statues..
FOOTNOTES:
==========
*1 The SIMPLE son only says WHAT IS THIS
The WISE son asks lots of details (What are testimonials...)
Notice How we identify
WISE = LOTS OF DETAILS vs SIMPLE=NO DETAILS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*