EDUCATION - A STORY

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

MAZAL TOV TO PESACH AND CHANIE ON THE BIRTH OF A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY BH! Wishing that the bris should be beshaah tovah umatzlachas, and that he should be a source of much nachas to you both, together with all your children!

Mazal Tov to Shira Nechama on her birthday next week. Wishing Avi and Penina much continued nachas from her!

It is my cousin Alden's yohrtzeit on Shabbos, and we wish long life to Kerry Lee, Gareth, and Froma and their Families. I think of Alden often with warm memories. His neshamah should have an Aliyah.

I saw an editorial this week from Rabbi Yossi Goldman, which was a story from one of his contacts, and his reflections on that story in connection with this week's Parsha, Toldos.

The Parshah speaks about the generations (toldos) of Yitzchak with the birth of Yaakov and Esav, and how they each go on their very different ways of life, and how Yitzchok gets to give his all-important blessings to Yaakov. (Esav was caught up with the ways of the world, and he fell into bad ways, while Yaakov was pure and stayed on a good, refined path. And just as a point of interest Esav, eventually, also does teshuvah!)

The commentaries explain that this was not just a blessing but the SYMBOLIC HANDING OVER OF THE JEWISH LEGACY TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

The Story:

A man of great respect, who was highly intelligent, highly sensitive, and who had reached the apex of his profession, came to visit Rabbi Goldman to discuss personal issues.

He wanted to discuss his most personal disappointment in his life which was connected to the wedding of his eldest daughter.

On the night of her wedding, after he came home, he found himself crying.

His wife asked him why he was crying, when he should be bubbling with joy.

He answered " I have just given away a daughter that I do not know, to a man that I do not know."

It had suddenly struck him like a ton of bricks, that he had spent years and years building up his business, and in the process he had neglected his family.

Thank G-d this man resolved to actually rectify his situation after the discussion!

On reflection, Rabbi Goldman concluded, that we need to know our children, from both a family, and a Jewish Faith, perspective.

It is not a given that our children will automatically absorb their Jewish Heritage.

It takes a lot of hard work and years of personal guidance by dedicated parents.

The influences from the world on children is dramatic and powerful.

If we don't transmit a healthy value system to the next generation, the vacuum will very likely be filled with other willing teachers.

The good news is that our children actually do want the guidance, and crave to have a direction in life, from home.

And what they learn at home will have a far more lasting impression than what they pick up elsewhere.

Gut Shabbos and Gut Chodesh to all