Passover Thought

Blessed Be G-D, Blessed Be He…We then read in the Haggadah of Four Sons. But one is the wicked son. Why do we bless G-d for discussing, in His Torah, the fact that we will one day have a wicked son in our midst?

The answer for this question, I believe, is found in a Mishna in Pirke Avot. We read of different studetns, one of whom is the student who learns with difficulty and is quick to forget. Why rub it in? Why is this student mentioned in the Mishna? The answer is that he too is a student, and he too deserves to be taught. We are not all scholars but we all deserve the opportunity to learn at our own pace.

Here too in the Haggadah, we read of different types of sons. If one appears to be wicked, he is nevertheless our son. We cannot abandon him. We owe him every effort in our role as parents.

There is a story about the Baal Shem Tov who was approached by a parent with a concern. “My child is no longer interested in Judaism. What should I do?” was the query. To this, the Baal Shem Tov asked: “How did you feel about him before this turn of events?” The answer was predictable: “Of course I loved him”. The response by the Baal Shem Tov then came like a lightening bolt :”Well he now needs your love even more.”

We are blessed with different sons and daughters. Our job in life is to cherish them, even when they are far from the ideal. This is one of the lessons of the Seder night; one we should not forget.