The offering of Bikkurim, the first-ripened fruits of the year that we bring to the Beis Hamikdash, is accompanied by a proclamation thanking G-d for His kindness that has brought us to this day. We mention in particular that He heard our voices when we were slaves in Egypt, and saved us from “our affliction, toil and oppression.”
Commenting on this verse, the Sifri states: “‘Our toil’—these are the sons, as it is written, ‘Every son that is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall keep alive,’” meaning that the words “our toil” allude in particular to the suffering we endured in Egypt with regard to our children.
It is worth noting that the Sifri demonstrates that there was a particularly evil decree targeting the Jewish children, but does not provide proof or explain how the words “our toil” allude specifically to children.
The Sifri’s omission of any proof that “our toil” refers to our children indicates that such proof is superfluous. For it is self-evident that raising children to grow on the proper path takes hard work—not only “effort,” but also what the Torah deems “toil,” difficult labor. It therefore goes without saying that our “toil” is our children.
The same is true with regard to educating and nurturing students, whom the Torah likewise refers to as “your children.” You have not fulfilled your most basic duties as an educator until you have invested yourself to the point of “toil.”
—Likkutei Sichos, vol. 1, pp. 113–114
