“It should be a holistic experience that influences actions, thoughts, and the environment one inhabits”
Parashah Va'etchanan, found in Devarim (Deuteronomy) chapters 3:23-7:11, holds profound teachings about the importance of education, especially in the context of passing down faith and values to the next generation. This parashah contains the Shema, one of the most central prayers in Judaism, which emphasizes the need for continuous, lifelong education of children.
The Centrality of the Shema
In Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:4-9, we read the Shema:
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our G-d, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be upon your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontiers between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
This passage is a cornerstone for the Jewish approach to education, particularly for children. It highlights several key aspects:
Continuous Learning and Teaching: The Shema commands us to teach our children diligently. This indicates that education is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It's a daily commitment -teaching in the home, while traveling, at bedtime, and upon waking up. This reinforces that education is a continuous process, integrated into all aspects of life.
Transmission of Values: The commandment to teach "these words" refers to the mitzvot and the Torah itself. Parents are tasked with passing down the values, beliefs, and commandments of Judaism. The idea is that each generation builds upon the knowledge of the previous one, creating a strong, continuous chain of tradition and identity.
Personal and Communal Responsibility: The parashah stresses that the responsibility of education lies not only with formal teachers but also with parents and the community. The instruction to speak of these values "when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way" suggests that education is a collective responsibility, extending beyond formal settings and into everyday interactions.
Holistic Education: The commandments to bind the words as a sign on one's hand and between the eyes, and to write them on the doorposts of the house, indicates that education should not be limited to intellectual knowledge alone. It should be a holistic experience that influences actions, thoughts, and the environment one inhabits. This teaches children that faith and values are not abstract concepts but are to be lived and experienced in every aspect of life.
Connecting the Lessons to the Importance of Education
Using this parashah as a guide, we can draw the following lessons on the importance of educating children:
Foundation of Faith: Just as the Israelites were commanded to teach their children the laws and principles of the Torah, today, the education of children serves as the foundation upon which their faith, moral compass, and identity are built. By instilling these values early on, we ensure that they will carry these principles throughout their lives.
Lifelong Impact: The values and teachings imparted during childhood have a lifelong impact. As the Shema suggests, these teachings are meant to guide a person in every stage of life. Therefore, the education of children is not just about imparting knowledge for the moment but about shaping the adults they will become.
Responsibility and Continuity: Every generation is a link in the chain of tradition. By educating children, we fulfill our responsibility to ensure the continuity of our faith and values. This not only preserves the past but also ensures a meaningful future.
In summary, Parashat Va'etchanan teaches us that the education of children is not just important; it is sacred. It is through diligent, continuous teaching that we pass down our most cherished values and ensure the survival and thriving of our community and faith across generations.
Commentaires