The Haggadah directs us to “open up” this child who does not know how to ask questions. The hardening of the heart, the apathy, or the confusion that result in a lack of questions leave him stuck in his place. The entire Exodus from Egypt depends upon a process of questions and answers. Even the insolent question of the wicked son is better than no question at all. The father must open his son’s heart, arouse his interest and his willingness to ask questions. After he has managed to arouse him to ask, he will be able to answer each specific question.
Inter-inclusion
From a narrow perspective, all four sons are inter-included in each of them. This can be seen by noting that the Haggadah enumerates the sons as: one who is wise, one who is wicked, one who is earnest, and one who does not know how to ask. The value of the word “one” (דָחֶא) is 13 and 4 times “one” equals 52, the value of “son” (ןֵּב). Four sons in each son. Four sons in every one of us. From a wider perspective, the four sons reflect all of humanity—from the wise and sincerely earnest to the wicked and the apathetic. With the questions and answers of the Seder (Seder means ‘order’) night, we are creating a new world order in our souls and in the entire world.
(from Wonders Issue 20, Pesach 5782)
