Rashi in parshas Voeschanon (6:6) teaches us a
wonderful idea. The posuk says, "And you shall teach
them to your sons." Talmidim are always referred to as
"sons" — the posuk says, "you are Hashem's . . .
sons" (Devorim 14:1) [which in terms of our
relationship with Hashem can only mean disciples].
In the same way that talmidim are called "sons," the
teacher is called "father," as the posuk says [quoting
Elisha's cry when he witnessed the ascent of his mentor
Eliyohu Hanovi to Heaven], "Father, Father, chariot of
Yisroel!" (Melochim II 13:14).
Rashi is telling us that a rebbe is more than a
teacher; he's a teacher and a father together. Rav Yechezkel
Sarna zt'l, the rosh yeshiva of Chevron, would
frequently remark that yeshiva students are termed bnei
hayeshiva i.e. the yeshiva's sons and their teachers are
their fathers. He would explain the above Rashi wonderfully,
asking why the first posuk doesn't explicitly say,
"And you shall teach them to your talmidim"? He
explained that a rebbe must feel that his
talmidim are his own sons. The type of character that
the Torah seeks in a teacher is someone whose talmidim
will feel is like their father. This lesson is imparted by
calling talmidim "sons."
There is an additional nuance to Rashi's words, " . . .the
teacher is called a father." The father-son relationship is
an everlasting one. There's no such thing as temporary
fatherhood. Teachers and educators too, remain their
disciples' "fathers" forever. A father never stops thinking
about what is good for his son.
The implication of all is that we ought to be feeling joy at
the sight of our sons going to their yeshivos and places of
learning — this one to yeshiva ketanoh, that one
to yeshiva gedolah. They run off joyfully with their
seforim back to chadorim and botei
medrash like sons going home, for going home they are,
back to their "father's" home. Their parents' hearts are
filled with hope and longing for their precious sons'
complete success.
As we noted, a teacher is like a father and he remains so
forever. It is important for a teacher to maintain contact
with a talmid who is finishing his studies in
talmud Torah and moving to yeshiva ketanoh, or
completing yeshiva ketanoh and going to yeshiva
gedolah. The talmid might be experiencing
difficulties with chavrusas or with friends in
general. Such "teething troubles" are common at the beginning
of an Elul zman when entering a new environment.
Problems of this type have often almost broken the spirits of
new talmidim in yeshivos ketanos and
gedolos. When a bochur receives a letter of
good wishes and encouragement right at the beginning of the
zman from his teacher and mentor, or even if he can
approach the teacher when he feels it necessary, it can do
wonders for his morale.
It is not our intention here to demand, or even to ask
teachers to do this; it is merely a request that they rise to
the challenge. Particularly at the beginning of the
zman, a bochur's new maggid shiur or
mashgiach will not always know his character and
sensitivities. How crucial can be a good word from a teacher
who has known the boy for several years! It is so important
to have occasional get-togethers of the previous year's
graduation class with their old teachers, to hear their words
of inspiration. They were close to these teachers as
youngsters throughout the years that they studied under
them.
*
I wish to mention two instructive things on this subject.
During the first years that I worked for Chinuch Atzmai,
between 5718-27, I instituted an important custom in order to
keep a firm connection with talmidim who had been
directed to yeshivos kedoshos in the framework of the
Keren Sha'os Toranios program.
At the beginning of Elul, I sent each talmid a fine
greeting card, nicely designed and incorporating a delicate
flower, containing good wishes for his success in his new
place of study. The letters were sent to each one's address
at his yeshiva. The extent of the encouragement that this
modest little card provided cannot be described. In addition,
it contributed to friendships among those who have in the
meantime become grandfathers and still maintain these
friendships.
A teacher of our eighth grades recently told me that he sent
invitations to his son's wedding to his old students. With
tears in his eyes he said that virtually all of them
responded and came to share his happiness. He was their
"father" and remained so. They felt this and came to join
their "father" on his joyous occasion.
When discussing the importance of spiritual mentors'
encouragement, it is even more important that the students'
real fathers don't forget that they remain fathers forever,
even when their sons are in yeshiva. When their sons go off
to a new place of learning, parents must make them aware of
the importance of maintaining contact with the maggid
shiur and the mashgiach. It is important that
parents pay attention to everything they hear from maggid
shiur and mashgiach and it is important that the
bochur himself hears it.
Our sons can be compared to trees that grow and sprout from
their roots. Every word of encouragement and prodding
generates another root that facilitates a ben Torah's
growth. We who belong to the older generation were nurtured
by our teachers zy'a who, during their lives,
encouraged and guided the youth of their day.
Our master the Chazon Ish felt like a "father" to all the
bnei yeshiva of his time. He lavished love and
encouragement on them, both verbal and written. He sent
letters to bochurim when they were starting out in
learning. As they continued, if he heard that a
bochur's spirits were low he would send off letters
full of encouragement and feeling, phrased in his refined and
noble style, as we find in Igros Chazon Ish, vol.
I.
I would like to quote here from two letters.
"You are still in your formative years and it is in your
power to take your place among men of virtue and elevation.
You have the opportunity to acquire Torah wisdom, the
empowerment of life on the earth . . . Please, do not view
yourself as being beyond hope or [the task] as being too
difficult for you, for while all beginnings are hard, no
obstacle can withstand willpower and a person who strives to
purify himself receives Heavenly assistance. The main thing
is to make a resolution and not to retreat because of the
obstacles that are encountered at the beginning of the road
to purity . . ." (Vol. I, letter 17)
"I received your letter and was extremely happy to see you
delving into Torah. Continue applying yourself to constant
Torah study and try to climb ever higher each day with great
energy, absorbing divrei Torah in your heart and soul,
for this is man's entire purpose.
"With regard to what you wrote, it is a possibility; perhaps
it would be right for you to come and speak it over . . ."
What encouragement these words of the godol hador
contain, especially the second letter, in which the Chazon
Ish zy'a doesn't make do with writing but invites the
bochur personally, "perhaps it would be right for you
to come and speak it over . . ."
Perhaps this will lead the spiritual "fathers" of
bochurim to follow in our teachers' footsteps and
write now and then to a bochur who could use a few
words of encouragement. If so, that would be our reward.
