Tag Archives: Chinuch

Kislev and Chanuka

Posted on December 12, 2017 by jewishspectacles

TONIGHT IS THE FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKA. One lonely flame tonight on the Menorah. It corresponds to Abraham, one lone voice of G-dliness in a world of paganism. Don’t worry about being a lone voice, for many candles come thereafter. … Continue reading →

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Harness Your Evil Inclination (and put ‘im to work)

Posted on March 23, 2017 by jewishspectacles

When a car hits an icy patch in the road and begins to skid, drivers are told not to turn against the skid.  If the car is skidding rightwards and the driver yanks the steering wheel immediately to the left, … Continue reading →

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Some Lessons in Chinuch from Parshas Bo

Posted on January 29, 2017 by jewishspectacles

In this week’s Torah reading, Parshas Bo, we begin to learn some of the general rules of Jewish pedagogy, how to teach the next generation. The Parsha begins with Moshe being sent yet again to Paroh to warn him to … Continue reading →

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Judaism is About Action — (and listening to Command Station)

Posted on November 16, 2016 by jewishspectacles

Rabbeinu Bachya on this week’s Torah Portion, when he gets to verse 19, explains all about why G-d decided to let Avraham know that Sodom would be destroyed because, as the verse says, “l’ma’an asher yetzeva es banav – for he … Continue reading →

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Nothing More Foolish Than Unwillingness to Put Up With Important Tomfoolery

Posted on October 21, 2016 by jewishspectacles

Even for the Narishkeit[1] You Need Patience  During a seminar I attended, we were asked to do visualizations to switch our outlook on any one person in our life.  I chose to work on my relationship with my mother, a … Continue reading →

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Starting off the day just right

Posted on February 29, 2016 by jewishspectacles

In this week’s Torah portion, we are given a glimpse of the enthusiasm with which the Jews embraced the concept of chipping in and contributing to the building of the Tabernacle. Chapter 36, verse 3, recounts how they brought the … Continue reading →

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Lighting the Menorah – The Flame of Torah Learning

Posted on February 17, 2016 by jewishspectacles

This week’s Torah portion begins with the commandment to use pure olive oil to light the Menorah.  The Menorah symbolized learning.  From the next few verses, we learn some very important lessons in Chinuch, in helping our children be ideal … Continue reading →

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Profound Chinuch, courtesy of Shragie Newhouse, of blessed memory

Posted on May 23, 2013 by jewishspectacles

Parshas Baha’loscha  This week’s Torah Portion begins with the Mitzva [commandment] of lighting the Menorah.  The word for lighting, as we know from Shabbos candle blessing, is “l’hadlik”, to ignite.  However, in this week’s Parsha, when it comes to the … Continue reading →

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Tiferes, Being a Balanced Person (even when teaching)

Posted on April 22, 2012 by jewishspectacles

Between Pesach and Shavuos we count days, and during that count we have focus of working out inner characteristics toward becoming a vessel to accept Torah.  “Derech Eretz Kadmah L’Torah” we are taught.  In order to have a cup’a’tea, one … Continue reading →

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