Published by Feldheim Publishers
Reviewed by M. S. Brovender M.A.
At every juncture in a Jew's life he has the opportunity to
either build or destroy. Hence our prayers are turned
heavenward. When laying the foundations of a new home one has
to work hard from the very outset to insure that it
continually grows and develops into a mikdash me'at.
How does one ensure oneself, as a parent, that his child will
grow into an adult imbued with the spark of Torah, mitzvos,
and his neshomoh? To discover answers we must first
become seekers of answers.
Along our search we frequently notice that the windows we
look through are cloudy with confusion. In today's world of
instant availability, with its proliferation of self-help
books on child rearing and education, one would imagine that
prescriptions for successful educating and parenting would be
right at our fingertips. However, that doesn't seem to be the
case. Why?
Perhaps it is because instead of providing us with clarity
they merely give us more and more words and thoughts in which
to entangle our minds and hearts. Eventually they tire us out
both mentally and physically.
Nesivei Chinuch, translated and adapted by Rabbi Moshe
M. Lieber, addresses this need. In it the Slonimer Rebbe
paints a vision of an elevated form of chinuch. One
finds oneself moving from being a reader to becoming a
student of each thought, word and message. Suddenly, clarity
takes the place of confusion. By raising our vistas and
providing us with a holistic view of Torah education
Nesivei Chinuch sheds rays of light on the entire
experience.
What are the prerequisites for being a Torah educator? What
in essence makes one worthy of being a transmitter of Torah,
its lifestyle, tradition and values? Above all, we learn that
possessing a positive, constructive attitude toward the child
is crucial for success in being an educator or parent and
mentor. At the root must lay feelings of tremendous, non-
yielding love.
The Slonimer Rebbe zt'l advises us that if, after
serious soul-searching, a teacher realizes that he doesn't
relate to a pupil in the same parental mode that he relates
to his very own biological child, nor does he appreciate the
child's unique emotional and intellectual makeup, he must be
honest with himself and choose another vocation.
According to the Baal Shem Tov, the teacher or parent who
seeks to implant in his students the light of Torah may never
focus on their negative aspects. Only by focusing on the
positive traits of the child and believing in the ultimate
victory of the spiritual yearning of the soul, will one
succeed in transmitting the beauty and light of Torah and
mitzvos. In the words of the Nesivos Sholom, "Once a child's
mentor has succeeded in igniting the spark, the flame lights
by itself."
We are advised to employ punishment only when no other option
exists. It must be administered out of a sense of total love
of the child and with a real desire to educate him, and the
child must clearly sense our motives.
In summary, the authentic educator must know and truly
believe that (A) his students or children are "crown jewels"
with an innate luster that need only be brought to fore; (B)
he is a spiritual parent to each and every child and must
therefore feel parent-like love and loyalty towards him; (C)
a tailored-made approach which is sensitive to who the child
is and not what one thinks he should be is crucial for
successful education.
Nesivei Chinuch, discusses the goals of Torah
education, the positive educational strategies to be
implemented, what the educator must be aware of in order to
be worthy of the title educator, how the educator / parent
must serve as a role model as well as what constitutes a
positive educational atmosphere for the student. It also
offers a glimpse into the world of the yeshiva and what it
should truly be.
Nesivei Chinuch is a must for every parent, principal,
teacher and mentor, who seeks to make education and mentoring
into an art of heart and soul. May we all merit to be
builders and planters of Torah by allowing ourselves to
follow the enlightened pathways laid out for us in the
Nesivei Chinuch!
