Foundations In Education

Proper education means giving our children a delicate balance. They must know Torah’s unwavering fundamentals, which are, “our life and length of our days“ – principles which cannot change, regardless of the circumstances. At the same time, however, the child is told to continually grow, and be innovative in his life’s mission. Just as his body constantly grows, so must his soul grow, every single day.

When the Jews went into exile, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai raised two groups of students to ensure the transmission of Torah study. Each group had a different primary focus: One group was “a cemented reservoir that does not lose a drop,” and the other was, “like an ever-increasing spring.”

Every Jewish child must be educated to “not lose a drop” of Torah’s basic guidelines. At the same time, he must continuously develop, “like an ever-increasing spring.”