The "Tam" son and his Question

The Four Sons mentioned at the seder include the "Tam." I have seen many commentators translate that as "simple" or, as the OU website has it, "simple, unsophisticated, not because of external circumstances, but because he’s been too lazy and indolent to educate himself."

However, the other two (point five) uses of the word show that the word means something very different:

1. Ya'akov Ish Tam*

2. Rabbeinu Tam ***

2.5 Noach...tamim hayah...**

Are there any commentators who look at the Tam son and explain the label to be something different and more profound, reflecting an understanding of the word "Tam" that would more closely fall in line with the other uses of the word?

Does anyone read the question asked by the Tam son as deeper and more significant, as would befit this idea of "Tam" not as simple but as mild or honest?

• -- Rashi explains Tam (Ber 25:27, via Sefaria) as "not expert in all these things: as his heart was his mouth (his thoughts and his words tallied). One who is not ingenious in deceiving people is called תם plain, simple." while the Haamek Davar echoes this "מותמם עם אנשים מה שבפיו כך בלבו. א״כ הוא תמים אינו נחלק לשנים אומר כך ובלבו כך"

** -- Ibn Ezra on Ber 6:0 writes, "WHOLE-HEARTED. In his heart" and the Ramban writes, "Scripture mentions that he was guiltless and perfect in his righteousness "

*** -- The appelation is understood as "straightforward" according to wikipedia, and the chabad website explains, "He is known as Rabbeinu (“our master”) Tam, after his Biblical namesake, Jacob, who was described as an ish tam, a “complete man,” an indication of the enormous esteem in which he was held."

posted 3 months ago

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rosends‭

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