Prelude

Each year, when people of Jewish faith celebrate the Passover, they meet for what is traditionally called a Seder - a ritual meal, that commemorates the Jewish tribes' exodus from Egypt.

Included amongst the lessons incorporated into the ritual meal is the parable of the four sons, whose four attitudes towards knowledge represent, in a symbolic sense, not only the struggle between Good and Evil ... but also a systematic itemization of who, amongst the Sons of Man, are in the game ... who are in the stands ... and who's at home, taking a nap.

It's the story of the wise son, the wicked son, the simple son, and the young son.

• The wise son, it is said, asks questions about the meaning of Passover; and its importance to not only himself, but also his society. As he learns more, his perspective broadens, and his judgement improves - along with his immunity to peer pressure.
• These sons, it is implied, are what keeps a given society strong and free.
  
  
• The wicked son, it is said, is interested in knowledge, only as a means for controlling others. By learning what motivates each individual, he is better able to manipulate and influence them.
• The interest of these sons of Man, is in divesting others of their ability to make reasonable judgements; the welfare of others does not concern them ... even though they exist solely as a result of others looking after their welfare.
  
  
• The simple son, it is said, is, not oblivious, but, rather, indifferent, to the truth of matters ... not caring enough to inquire - and, as such, is easily manipulated, by lies and more subtle forms of deceit.
• These individuals provide the fodder for the ambitions of their wicked brothers.
  
  
• Then there's the young son. He is still learning to ask questions; the love for knowledge and truth has yet to be instilled.
• He will turn out to be a wise son, a wicked son, or a simple son - depending, in no small part, upon the examples set by those around him.

(Naturally, everything that has been said about sons, above, can be said about daughters, as well.)

The relevance of this parable will become obvious as you read this story.

However, the parable's existence proves, conclusively, that the problem described, in the following pages, is an ancient one, and that, while the Jewish people may - or may not - have been Chosen, by some Divine Agent, for some Divine Reason ... that the Jewish people are not unaccustomed to the idea that there might be criminals amongst them.

Remaining to be answered is the question of why the Jewish people, as a group, seem to protect - even venerate - their criminals ... instead of prosecuting them.