The Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael taught that there are four types of children (as evinced by the four times — in ; ; ; and — that Scripture reports telling a child) — the wise, the simple, the wicked, and the type who does not know how to ask. The wise child asks, in the words of "What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, that the Lord our God has commanded you?" The Mekhilta taught that we explain to this child all the laws of Passover. The simple child asks, in the words of "What is this?" The Mekhilta taught that we respond simply with the words of "By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage." The wicked child asks, in the words of "What do "you" mean by this service?" The Mekhilta taught that because wicked children exclude themselves, we should also exclude this child in answering and say, in the words of "It is because of what the Lord did for "me" when I came forth out of Egypt" — for me but not for you; had you been there, you would not have been saved. As for the child who does not know how to ask, the Mekhilta taught that we take the initiative, as says (without having reported that the child asked), "You shall tell your child on that day."