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Why does Rashi (רש"י) call the tam who asks "Ma zos?" a tipesh? The shiur redefines tipesh—not as a fool who destroys, but as someone who throws away an opportunity for wisdom. The tam has the intelligence to ask the chacham's question but lacks the interest, settling for superficiality when profound Torah (תורה) wisdom lies within reach.
Rabbi Zweig examines the four sons at the Seder, focusing on Rashi (רש"י)'s characterization of the tam (simple son) who asks "Ma zos?" (What is this?). The verse refers to the korban, and the child's father responds by recounting the Exodus. Rashi comments that this is a "tinok tipesh she'eino yodei leha'amik she'eilaso"—a foolish child who doesn't know how to make his question more profound. In contrast, the chacham asks a sophisticated question about "eidos, chukim, and mishpatim." The shiur asks: What makes "Ma zos?" such a low-level question? Anyone can ask "What is this?" Yet Rashi places this question at nearly the bottom tier, just above the child who cannot even ask. What is Rashi revealing about the nature of tipshus (foolishness)?
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Parshas Bo - Four Sons at the Seder
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