The Linchpin of Jewish Education-Nasso

The Linchpin of Jewish Education
Parshat Nasso 

This week's Torah portion discusses in great detail the service of the Levi'im (tribe of Levi) and the specific families of Gershon, Kehot and Merrari, as they performed their service in the Mishkan (tabernacle). The portion begins with the words "Nasso - Lift up the children of Gershon". 

Later on in this week's portion at the end of the Fourth Aliya, we read the beautiful priestly blessings that we bless our children with. The final stanza begins with the words "Yisa Hashem Panav-May Hashem lift His countenance towards you". Both Hebrew words Nasso and Yisa means to lift up, to inspire, and to empower.

The question is, how do we really inspire our children with life-long inspiration?

In the second book of the Tanya, the Gateway of Unity and Faith, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (Russia 1745-1813) begins this profound book with a section called "the education of a child". He quotes the well know verse from King Solomon's Proverbs (Mishlei 24:6) which states חנוך לנער על פי דרכו - Educate a child according to his/her own way, then even when they grow old, they will not depart with it". 

At the surface this passage seems to be telling us that when we differentiate education and teach the whole child, according to their own way, they will retain the teaching for the rest of their lives. The obvious question however is, Why wouldn't we want a child to grow and mature from their childness understanding and observance? Don't we want the child to mature and dig deeper, and develop a deeper and more sophisticated relationship with Hashem?

Rabbi Schneur Zalmen explains that in life, each and every one of us, including the Tzadik (righteous person) will have moments of doubt and despair. Notwithstanding our personal growth and successes we will all have moments of uncertainty. It is within these bleak moments that we need to dig deep and reconnect with our essence, our foundation. It is in these difficult moments that we need our Emunah (faith in G-d) and Bitachon (trust in G-d) to be absolutely rock solid. In these challenging times we go back to our foundation.

This then is the meaning of King Solomon's words, "Educate a child according to his/her way, then even when they grow old, they will not depart from it", in essence, he is telling us to make sure that the foundation we give our children is so well formed and solid, that it will be there for them throughout their lives.

The linchpin of a proper Jewish education is the foundation of Emunah (Faith), Bitachon (Trust) and Ahavat Hashem (Love of Hashem) that we instill and build for our children. It is these precious traits that will be there with them for the rest of their lives.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Y. Marrus