One of the focal points of the Passover Seder is the interplay of questions and answers between four archetypal sons – the wise son, the wicked son, the simple son, and the son that does not know how to ask. Numerous commentators have written untold numbers of observations about each of these sons and the significance of the respective dialogues.
In the Hagadah “The Seder Night: An Exalted Evening,” Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik points out something about the Rasha, the Wicked Son, that is so seemingly obvious yet (in my opinion) so encouraging. He notes that even though this son is contentious and disrespectful, he is still present at the seder. According to the adage by Woody Allen: “Eighty percent of success is just showing up.” We should not consider this son ‘too far gone’ because he has placed himself in the situation where his faith can be restored.
Along those same lines, Rabbi Soloveitchik notes that the Hagadah does not say that we should boot the Wicked Son out of the house. Rather, we should face him and attempt to ‘blunt his teeth’ – a euphemism for confounding his cynicism and challenging his emotional detachment from the seder experience. As Rabbi Soloveitchik states: “Talmud Torah (the teaching of Torah) requires bringing the one who got lost, the child who was alienated, back into the fold. He or she is a Rasha now, but there is potential in the Rasha.”
Note:
I am grateful to Rabbi Tzvi Weiss for picking up this wonderful Hagadah for me. Over a year ago he told me that he was headed to the Seforim sale at Yeshiva University and asked if I’d like him to get anything for me. I asked if he could find a Hagadah that offered a novel approach from many of the other traditional Hagadot that are available. He picked this volume out for me and I’ve been very pleased with his choice.
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