From the position advanced age, R’ Pinye Korf has a unique perspective on today’s bachurim. On the one hand, he has been serving as mashpia in American yeshivas for nearly fifty years. On the other hand, he is one of the few left from the previous generation who learned in Tomchei Tmimim in Samarkand. He was one of the founding students of the yeshiva in Brunoy under the influence of the legendary mashpia, R’ Nissan Nemenov.
It’s important to remember that the mitzva to teach a child Torah is the father’s obligation. It’s a Biblical mitzva as it says, “and you shall teach your children.” Being that this is so, the father is granted special abilities to accomplish this.
How can we get a child or youth and even a young man to feel that his home is his source of protection? This subject is very pertinent nowadays when we see what is going on in the street – we see both very problematic things but also wonderful things.
Many a time such a question will strike up a heated discussion. One side would strongly claim that we must protect our homes and keep to the highest standards, not letting in any “outside” influences. Others will offer an opposing view on the matter [claiming that such conduct would be divisive and “elitist” in nature. There are indeed cases when one must be wary about which influences reach their children], but I wish to share a perspective that sheds a different light onto this matter.
The mishna in the tractate Eduyos (end of chapter 5) tells of Akavya ben Mahalalel who, in his final moments on earth was asked by his son to recommend him to his friends. Akavya answered: Your own actions can bring you close to them and your own actions can distance you from them.
A Shevat 5727 (1967) answer from the Rebbe regarding the proper relationship between educators to their students and their parents:
The following answer — on the topic of choosing a school with a proper Jewish atmosphere for the children — gives a glimpse into the way things worked in the mazkirus, the Rebbe’s secretariat.
Parents and Educators must realize that staying in a Yeshiva environment is the only vaccine that can keep our kids safe from diseases far worse than smallpox or measles…Rabbi Daniel Green •
Attention Teachers! No child will leave your class the same way he came in. It’s up to you that he or she will leave as a better student.
A Gemach in Every Classroom – By the Students, For the Students
Rabbi Nachman Yosef Twersky comes up with creative solutions for some common and rare Chinuch crises.
Elul 5775. My five-and-a-half-year-old decided that he must go to the Rebbe for Hakhel. Our financial situation at the time did not enable us to get up and go, and yet how could we not go in a Shnas Hakhel? We could not decide what to do.
Days before were off to camp, Mendy Hecht speaks to counselors and other staff members in camps, and comes back with tips to ensure that the kids that come under our care come home more excited about
October 15, 2019