[Avodah] A Variation on the Four Sons

[Cantor Wolberg via Avodah]

We might ask at the Seder — whose questions
are the “fier kashes”? Are they the questions of
the wise son, wicked son or simple son? Upon
examination, they are the questions of the simple
son for these are simple questions. These are 
questions of “mah zot.” “What is this?” They are
simple questions of what and why. 

It seems strange the Haggadah should put into the
mouths of our children the questions of the simple 
son. Would it not have been better to put into their
mouths the questions of the wise son?

An answer give that I find profound is that we must
realize that the four sons of the Haggadah are four
ty[es of Jews who did not always live at the same 
time. They actually represent different epochs and
different ages. There was a time long ago when Jews
asked the questions of the wise son. They were eager
and avid for the word of God. That was a time when
everyone studied talmud and spent hours a day in 
study. It was an age when the question of the chacham
was predominant.

And there was also an age when the questions of the 
rasha predominated. These were periods of total 
assimilation—periods which sought to submerge, 
drown and eradicate the Jewish way of life. There 
were many who had renounced Judaism. Little time
is wasted in the Haggadah in debating with the rasha
because in the end, he must find his own answer.

But the third son, the tam, the simple son causes deep
concern, for his are the questions which grow out of 
ignorance.  His are the questions of our day—that simple
naive but heartbreaking question of "mah zot” what is this?
What is it all about? Unfortunately, we encounter many of
our students, as well as their parents, who are totally ignorant
of Judaism and all they can ask is Mah Zot?

“Klieg, Klieg, Klieg—Du bist a Nar". 
Yiddish saying