There are four sons — a wise son, a wicked son, a simple

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Pischa 18:24

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 20, 2025

There are four sons: a wise son, a wicked son, a simple son, and one who does not know how to ask. What does the wise son say? "What are the testimonies and the statutes and the judgments that the L-rd our G-d commanded us?"—you, likewise, "open" to him in the halachoth of Pesach (Passover)—"ein maftirin achar hapesach afikoman." What does the wicked son say? (Exodus 12:26) "What is this (Pesach) service to you?" "to you" and not to him. Because he disassociated himself from the congregation and denied the foundation (of the faith), you, likewise, blunt his teeth and tell him (Ibid. 13;8) "Because of this (the mitzvot (commandments)h) the L-rd wrought for me when I went out of Egypt." For me and not for you. Had you been there, you would not have been redeemed. What does the simple son say? (Ibid. 14) "What is this?" And you shall tell him (Ibid.) "With might of hand did the L-rd take us out of Egypt from the house of bondage." And he who does not know how to ask, you open for him, as it is written (Ibid. 8) "And you shall tell your son on that day, etc."

Themes

Torah Moses Divine justice Wisdom

Biblical References

Exodus 12:26

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