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 todays unit we review the chapters on the
>SIMPLE and WISE SON
We also review the use of
>SYMBOLISM
at the Seder. The reasons why these sons are called
SIMPLE vs WiSE was presented in previous postings.
There is a list of 4 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. The 4 sons are listed
in the following chapters presented in the LIST below
The interpretation of this list should be clear. For example
The wicked son is in the chapter that
>BEGINS at 2-12-26 (Ex (Book 2) Chapter 12 verse 24)
>END at 2-12-27 (Ex (Book 2) chapter 12 verse 27)
By comparing the language of these 4 chapters we can find
the Torahs viewpoints on pedagogy.
{LIST} The 4 sons
VERSE WICKED APATHETIC SIMPLE WISE
----- ------ ------ --------- ----
FROM 2-12-26 2-13-8 2-13-14 5-6-20
TO 2-12-27 2-13-10 2-13-16 5-6-25
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
The Biblical word THIS always denotes pointing
======================================================
Thus for example we have the following Rashis
>4-8-4 THIS is the Menorah
RASHI: God SHOWED Moses the Menorah
>2-30-13 THIS is the half dollar tax
RASHI: God SHOWED the Candellabrah to Moses
>2-12-2 THIS moon is a new month
RASHI: God SHOWED Moses the moon
>3-11-2 THESE are the Kosher animals
RASHI: Moses showed them the Kosher animals
Hence we have the Rashi and law
>2-13-8 Tell children Because of THIS God saved me
RASHI:Show the children
>the Matzoh,
>Maror and
>Pascal lamb
These examples are compactly summarized in {LIST2}.
This hilights the importance of
>SYMBOLIC items on the Passover night.
In fact {LIST2} below makes a statistical analysis of the use of
>SYMBOLS in the 4 chapters on the 4 children
Let me give some examples
EXAMPLE 1
---------
TEFILLIN, a symbolic commandment is mentioned in the SIMPLE SON
chapter. Similarly TEFILLIN is mentioned in the APATHETIC SON
Chapter. But the commandment to put on TEFILLIN is not mentioned
in the chapter dealing with the WICKED or WISE SON.
EXAMPLE 2
---------
Redeeming first born animals, a commandment that symbolically
reminds of of the saving of the first born is mentioned in the
SIMPLE son chapter.
If you study {LIST2} you will see that the
>APATHETIC and SIMPLE son have many symbolic commandments
>WICKED and WISE son have NO symbolic commandments
This is a principle of pedagogy
>Use SYMBOLS to attract SIMPLE or APATHETIC people
>Do not use symbols on the wicked since it creates antogonism
>Do not use symbols on the wise; He knows them; He needs more
The other principle of pedagogy we mentioned last time. We can
review ({LIST3}) the use of SINGULAR and PLURAL. We see that
>the WICKED chapter uses ALL PLURAL--
He is wicked because he belongs to a gang
>The APATHETIC chapter uses ALL SINGULAR
Pedagogy requires individual attention
>The SIMPLE and WISE chapter use SINGULAR & PLURAL
This is a principle of pedagogy
>Emphasize BOTH the INDIVIDUAL and COMMUNITY to the
Simple and Wise. Emphasize how they have individual
worth and also emphasize how they both belong and
must contribute to the community.
{LIST1} {Of commandments where God said "THIS"--indicating that
He showed Moses something in a prophetic vision}
COMMANDMENT VERSE TEXT OF THIS
=========== ===== ============
Menorah 4-8-4 THIS is the Menorah build
Half Shekel 2-30-13 THIS is what should be given
New Moon 2-12-2 THIS is the month beginning
CROSS REFERENCES:
----------------
* Bemidbar Rabbah 4-8-4
{LIST2} {Of SYMBOLS in the 4 Chapters of the 4 sons}
VERSE 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
SYMBOL TYPE WICKED APATHETIC SIMPLE WISE
======== ======= ========= ======= ======
1stBorn 2-13-1 2-13-12
Watching 2-12-26 2-13-5
Spring 2-13-4
Matzoh 2-13-7
Sacrifice 2-12-27
Tefillin 2-13-9 2-13-15
{LIST3} {Of personal references in the 4 chapters on teaching sons
How the list was constructed is given in detail in the
footnotes}
PERSONAL 2-12-24 2-13-5 2-13-11 5-6-20
REFERENCES 2-12-27 2-13-10 2-13-16 5-6-25
PLURAL/SING WICKED APATHETIC SIMPLE WISE
=========== ====== ========= ====== ======
Singular Thruout Query;Ans Query
Plural Query;Ans Answer Answer
For me Thruout
Singular 0% 100% 72% 16%
Plural 100% 0% 28% 84%
For me 2 time 1 time Several
FOOTNOTES:
=========
# We should explain HOW this list was made.
E.g. Look at the SIMPLE SON CHAPTER starting at 2-13-11. Let
us go down to the question at 2-13-14. Let us count every word
that COULD BE EITHER SINGULAR or PLURAL. Here is how we would
start
>When your son (Singular =1) asks (Singular = 2) you ....
>and you will say (Singular = 3) ..with a strong hand God
>took us (Plural = 1) out of Egypt....And when Pharoh hardened
>his heart from sending us (Plural =2) etc.
We continue and take percentages.
Continuing with the explanation of the list we explain how we
count PERSONAL items. Notice that e.g
VERSE TEXT PERSONAL TYPE
----- ---- -------- ----
v2-13-9 It will be FOR YOU a sign YES APATHETIC
v2-13-16 It will be a sign NO SIMPLE
Thus v2-13-9 has an EXTRA "For you" which indicates a PERSONAL TONE
One final comment: None of the above counts are meant to be
black and white....maybe someone will notice some more personal
counts or differ in the singular plural count by 1 or 2.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*