Project Renewal: Stimulating Torah Growth
There is a Torah principle that can help people set priorities and make decisions It’s the principle of “Tadir…”, when there is a requirement to fulfill two actions at the same time and one of them is common and the other one not as common, the one that is more common takes precedent. In contemporary Jewish life the concept of Tadir is well known. When there is a series of Berachot that are required to be made like Shabbat Kiddush, the beracha on the wine precedes the beracha of Kiddush because the beracha of Kiddush is confined to one night a week while the beracha over wine can be made all of the time. In applying another Torah principle that whatever is more important always goes first, we can conclude that of the two actions mentioned above, the one that is more common and goes first must be more important. That means, the beracha over the wine is more important than the beracha of Kiddush.
We derive from Tadir, mitzvot that are more common are more important than those that are only occasional. When we consider a Mitzvah to be more important, we are saying it has a greater potential to foster spiritual growth. Essentially, all of the Mitzvot that we perform on a daily basis therefore have a greater growth potential towards fulfillment of our ultimate purpose of coming closer to HaShem than any periodic mitzvah. For example, the Mitzvot of Teffilin and Tzitzt will have a greater impact on a person than the MItzva of Lulav and Etrog.
Actually, this concept is counter-intuitive. We find that those Mitzvot that we occasionally practice generate within us more excitement and a greater level of intensity when performing them. Novelty breeds strong positive feelings in contrast to daily activities that tend to breed complacency. We can call it the “new toy principle”. The new toy, dress, suit, car, etc. is so much more appealing to the human senses and emotions than something not as new. Therefore, the Torah says, human intuition is not accurate. The daily Mitzvah has much greater value and importance and therefore should generate greater excitement on a more profound level.
However, the dilemma is, we are human beings and we are challenged by our feelings and human weakness. Hence, although we accept the message of tadir, in reality the periodic Mitzvah causes greater excitement and desire in us to perform.
It’s for this reason that the first Mitzvah given by HaShem to the Nation of Israel is Rosh Chodesh. As stated earlier, things that come first have great significance. It establishes a tone and a message for all that follows. Chazal tell us that there is a profound message emanating from Rosh Chodesh that applies to Taryag Mitzvot, and that is the message of renewal-hitchadshut. When the Nation of Israel arrived at Har Sinai, the Torah states, “In the third month…in this day…”. Rashi quotes the Midrash to explain the phrase, “this day”, is referring to Rosh Chodesh and its message is, “that Divrei Torah should be NEW to you as it was the day it was given”. That’s the message of renewal.
Now the problem is solved. By applying both of Chazal’s messages, we can understand that a Mitzvah that is more common like Teffilin when practiced with hitchadshut, will have a greater spiritual impact on a person than a Mitzvah like Lulav that only occurs occasionally.
What promotes renewal and how do we train our children in this vital hashkafa? Actually, infusing hitchadshut in matters of spirituality is a simple formula. The more substance a practice or object has the more meaningful it is and practicing it with understanding promotes intellectual joy and excitement. In contrast, superficial activities and objects quickly lose their novelty and appeal and complacency and disinterest sets in. Baruch HaShem, our eternal Torah and all Taryag Mitzvot are rich in substance and meaning. We need to continually look for meaning in our Mitzvah practice and work to not perform any Torah act without full concentration and intent. As long as we are contemplating the eternal benefits of fulfilling the will of HaShem as we perform his commandments, we will find ourselves experiencing true joy and excitement, the outgrowth of hitchadshut.
At the youngest ages children need to begin preparing to perform Mitzvot with greater concentration and with an understanding that proper fulfillment with proper intent will bring them closer to HaShem. There are two necessary Chinuch components to reach these two goals. The first one, working on concentration, is achievable in little children by providing them with choices of challenging activities that they will have the freedom to choose to try. Each time they choose something meaningful they will invest themselves and strengthen their concentration. In time, this newfound capability to concentrate will be used for many more meaningful activities like performing Mitzvot.
The second one, understanding that proper performance of Mitzvot can bring a person closer to HaShem, requires effective growth in emunah. This is achievable through promoting in school and home a consistent message of emunah and the elimination of obstacles to that growth. Moreover, there is a well-kept secret called Contextual learning or Torah Timelines* that have a powerful effect on deepening faith. Through this novel concept children begin to find greater relevance in everything they learn, which ignites an inner drive to learn Torah and fulfill Mitzvos.
The strategies mentioned above are part of the repertoire of educational building blocks in the AL Pi Darko Chinuch system.
*See the work of Rabbi Jonathan Rietti at Breakthrough Chinuch