Tasty Medicine

Shall we?

Chanukah MiLashon Chinuch

I would be remiss if I didn't mention something about the fact that the Shoresh of the word Chanukah is Chinuch. 

What can we learn from this? Please let us know!

Quickly, I always thought about the fact that Chanukah means "dedication." Similarly, good Chinuch requires dedication. It is a process. It isn't something that happens overnight. Real Chinuch may not happen over eight nights, but I think the eight nights remind us of this process. Also, it is not enough for us to light the flames, we must ensure that they have enough fuel to last a certain amount of time.

I'm sure that there is much more to discuss. Please share!

Post? More Like Compost!

Check this article here from the New York Times Magazine.

What say you?

This guy brings a lot of nice ideas, but perhaps the "zero tolerance" policy is working. Are we so certain that "good teasing" is worth enough to allow teasing to run rampant possibly causing damage?

As MiChanchim, should we lean more toward the "zero tolerance" policy because of possible concerns of Lashon HaRa/Ona'as Devarim and because we try and adhere to a higher standard of Bein Adam LaChaveiro?

Parshat VaYeishev

Rashi at the beginning of Parshat VaYeishev notes that, "Bikeish Yaakov LeiSheiv B'Shalva, MiYad Kafatz Alav Rogzo Shel Yosef." Yaakov was ready to settle down after all of the crazy events that had occured to him in his life. Running from Eisav, dealing with Lavan, the Dinah in Shchem story, and others had taken their toll, and he was ready to live out his life peacefully. When Hashem saw this attitude of Yaakov, he immediately began the chain reaction that would lead to Mechirat Yosef. Hashem knows that the Tzadikim will enjoy Olam HaBa in the future, they shouldn't get to enjoy Olam HaZeh too.

Rav Moshe Feinstein notes that this is a very strange idea. First of all, why shouldn't Tzadikim also live peacefully in this world? Secondly, the Gemara (Horiyot 10b) seems to say that Hashem doesn't mind if Tzadikim get Hanaah in this world. What does all of this mean?

Rav Moshe explains the whole story a little differently. He explains that Yaakov wanted to settle down in regards to Chinuch and Limud HaBanim. He figured that at this point they were old enough and had been influenced by being raised in his home that they were all Tzadikim. Once Yaakov let down his gaurd in regards to being MiChaneich his children, the events leading to the sale of Yosef began immediately.

Rav Moshe notes that one can never stop being MiChaneich one's children or students even if they are older and even if they are all Tzadikim and Talmidei Chachamim. Even in such instances a father/teacher can never be Meisiach Daas about properly educating his children/students in Torah and giving them the Tochacha and Eitzot they need to be successful.

The job of MiChaneich, be it professional or parental, never stops.

Title

Well, this is unfortunate.

"We have to create situations where it's easy for kids to do the right things,"
he added. "We need to create classrooms where learning takes on more importance
than having the right answer."

So, how do we do this?

There seems to be a few major reasons for this increase:

The competition is greater, the pressures on kids have increased
dramatically

They have opportunities their predecessors didn't have [to cheat]. The
temptation is greater

93 percent of the students said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character, and 77 percent affirmed that "when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know."

Back

Long time no post. Apparently, I teach full time also. Who would have thunk?

The new edition of Kol HaMevaser (the YU Commentator insert) is dedicated to Jewish Education. Check it out here.

Drinking in front of students

A fellow educator and I were debating whether or not teachers should ever drink alcohol in front of their students. On the one hand, it might be a good opportunity to model for our students how to drink responsibly and in moderation - moderation being an important principle to teach. On the other hand, we might simply be validating drinking in the eyes of the students, especially if they don't pick up on the subtlety of our moderate alcohol consumption.

Might it matter what the context is? Is it different if it is in the teacher's house? School sponsored event vs. personal event? Religious event?

I have some thoughts on the issue, but would love to hear some other perspectives.