Ragozin -- why not 5 Bd2?

The following is a typical opening move order leading to the Ragozin.

There are a number of options for white here on move 5.  But the natural looking 5 Bd2 doesn't seem to be one of them (going by: move frequency, looking at books, etc). 

Can anyone explain why?  

Thanks!

I would imagine it’s something to do with the passive nature of the move, and the fact that it actually doesn’t accomplish anything. That knight doesn’t need to move again during development, and is already defended by the queen

Bd2 not Be2

Perhaps this might be of use:

https://www.chessable.com/blog/chess-opening-basics-the-ragozin-defence/

I've played the Ragozin/Nimzo a fair bit. Bd2 is one of those moves Black is pretty happy to see (I'm not even sure it does look natural) as it means White has already started reacting/being passive rather than pressing for an edge. Basically puts no pressure on Black at all. 

Also after something like 5.Bd2 0-0, if white plays a move like 6.a3 to clarify the issue, Black can even play ...Be7, after which White has to either play e3 (leaving the Bd2 looking stupid) or move it to g5 and be a whole tempo down on a normal queens gambit position (a3 being all he has to show for it).

That said, it's not like Bd2 gets white particularly into trouble, but there's various other much more challenging lines that white can play.

Interestingly the text on that page is similar to much that I have read about move 5.  All kinds of options, but nary a word about Bd2 -- not even to say "this is too passive a move".

That's a very nice explanation -- thanks!

Well, it gives you a hint saying that Bd2 is a less challenging move, as in Qb3 does the same - not allowing black to make your pawn structure worse, plus black has to do something with the bishop now. Qb3 is not really a developing move (it is, but it is still a queen move pretty early), but as you are white, you can probably play it.

After c5 by black though, the game seems sharper in comparison to Bd2, but you probably do not want to have your bishop on d2. So it is a bit passive, plus you will probably have to move bishop again at certain time. Placing of the bishops is always the biggest question mark in the opening, I would say.

I understand why it seems appealing. Here is some logic against it however. I feel that you are more inclined to play this type of move as black, because you are already a tempo down and are already responding to white's play, so this type of move might feel like something black is forced to do from time to time.

Bd2 is a bit of a reactionary move, and such a move might be a step in the wrong direction as white. White should try to be in the driver's seat, so Bd2, doesn't feel right to play on move number 5 as white.  Sometimes you have to do it, but as white, your aim should be to keep the initiative if you can.

I don't know concrete things about it however, I play 1.e4.

I suppose it depends what level you're at.  I notice on lichess, in the masters database, almost nobody plays it.  In the "all the games played on lichess" database, it's the fourth most popular move.

It is playable.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1981181