Nature and Nurture

Every child has natural inborn traits, some positive, some negative. These often become apparent in the earliest stages of childhood. It is the parent’s sacred duty to caution the child against the negative ones and to teach him discipline, despite any protests by the child. The child will thank the parent for the rest of his life.

But how can one change inborn nature? And what if the child already grew up without discipline, or the discipline he was given had no effect on him?

G-d, in the Torah of Truth and the Torah of Life, guarantees every person that he can “choose life.” It may come easier to some children to learn discipline, while for others the challenge may be greater. But one thing is certain: if a specific tendency is harmful to one’s wellbeing – contrary to Torah’s commandment to “Guard your life very carefully,” then with the proper effort it can certainly be overcome.