What If It Was In Heaven?
A powerful message communicated to us by the Torah during the Days of Awe is (The Torah) is not in the heaven that you should say, who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it down, that we may hear it and fulfill it?
The Gemara Eruvin explains this verse that if the Torah would be in heaven we would still have an obligation to climb up and reach it. It means, that despite whatever hardship there is, we have an obligation to acquire Torah, even if it is in heaven.
There is a true story that underscores this important Torah message.
Joseph was a twelve- year old boy who had recently lost his father. Although he had no Jewish education, he felt a calling to enter a Yeshiva. He applied to the local school but was not accepted because he was not up to the required level.
Joseph remained determined. He returned to the Menahel and with great determination he said, I want you to write me a letter stating that I asked to be admitted to your Yeshiva and you rejected me. After I leave this world, I will be asked why I did not learn Torah. I can show them this letter so the truth will be known that I am not to blame. Upon hearing the heartrending request, the Menahel admitted Joseph to the Yeshiva. Joseph embraced his studies with great התלהבות-passion and he ultimately grew to be a Talmid Chacham.
Joseph not only exhibited a quality that is rather unique for most children, but it’s of the most important qualities for success in life. Joseph showed “grit”, determination to succeed despite the almost insurmountable obstacles confronting him.
Although, we don’t need to bring support from the secular world to prove Torah’s eternal messages, it is worthwhile to make known that extensive research from top universities bear out the significance of grit as an overriding factor contributing to the success of people.
Parents and schools need to understand what we can be done to foster grit in our children.
There is a brand of schools and yeshivot that are successful in nurturing grit and other essential habits of the mind that enables children to maximize their school experience. The Al Pi Darko educational system promotes determination and grit through a student centered instructional approach. The emphasis on active participation by our students fosters hard work, discovery and growth.
In our tefillot these Days of Awe, we should place chinuch HaBanim as a priority. In our prayers, we should request Divine help to train our children to become highly determined to accomplish. We ourselves should become determined to approach life’s challenges with grit as a means of succeeding. Our commitment to this outlook can inspire our children to follow suit.
For more information on the Al Pi Darko chinuch system, please contact Chinuch Matters.