Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part V | Various Rabbis | Beit Midrash

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We continue to see Rav Yisraeli’s practical ideas on education, this time focusing on Torah education. This final piece deals with the impact of Eretz Yisrael on education and the Jewish mindset at that time in history.
This is also the place to speak directly about the special place of the Land in the life of the nation. To speak to children [on this topic], the best time is Shabbat and the holidays, with everything that goes along with them. It is worthwhile from time to time to put the individual holiday in the full perspective and consider its impact throughout the generations. Pesach, for example, can serve as a good example. You should go over the practice of the bringing of the Pesach offering, as occurred in Egypt on the night of liberation, which they ate when they were dressed to leave on a moment’s notice. It is worthwhile to make use of the knowledge the child has amassed. You then should add to the discussion the image of the celebration of Pesach, as it took place in the Land of Israel when the Beit Hamikdash was still standing. One can compare this to the way Pesach was celebrated in Inquisition-time Spain, in cellars, and at the time of blood libels. And then finally we have Pesach as it is celebrated in our times.
This is part of the education focused on the fulfillment of mitzvot. "Cover your head, so that you will have fear of the Heavens upon you" (Shabbat 156b). It is very important that the child become accustomed to have his head covered. This is the constant symbol of accepting the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven.
There are times that people allow themselves to do things that are forbidden on Shabbat by having a child do it. Besides the fact that this is still a prohibition, it is difficult to fully appreciate how much negative influence this has on the child. He gets used to seeing himself as different from those [like his parents, who must fully keep the mitzvot]. This leads him to justify for himself to do things that are forbidden by the Torah. I heard the following tragic way of looking at things by a child: "What do people want? This is the way the world operates! My father was an outstanding Torah scholar, whereas I am not able to reach such heights! It will also not be surprising if my son will not be like me." We would want to ask such a father, if he views his son with this same indifference.
Mitzvot need to be accompanied with proper explanations. One must have very clear discussions about Hashem, reward and punishment, the World to Come, the resurrection of the dead, divine providence, and His open eyes to that which the individual and the nation are doing. Every mitzva requires its reasoning. There is a need to explain the actions we do in the performance of mitzvot as an expression of our thanks to Hashem for all the good He has done for us and for the whole Nation of Israel.