TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN!

A LETTER FROM THE ROSH YESHIVA

Dear ...,

I received your letter.

The earlier you start being mechanech your children, the better. When a person is not mechanech his children while they are still young, justifying their inappropriate behavior to be "normal childish behavior," his job is much harder later on.

This is especially true in the area of kedusha. It is your responsibility to teach your children that they are not allowed to touch their אות ברית קודש. From when they are very young, you must constantly remind them, "Hashem doesn't let us touch here. You're not allowed to put your hands in this area."

If you notice your child playing inappropriately, give him a light smack on the hand and say sternly, "You are not allowed to put your hands here!" Once he understands that this is a serious matter, he will refrain from doing so and thereby be able to grow up pure. Children who are not taught about the importance of being holy have a much harder time when they are older.

Tefilla, Tefilla, Tefilla

Don't stop davening for erliche doros. Daven that your children should grow up pure and holy, for tefilla is the only method that really works. No chinuch methods are ever guaranteed to work — for one person, one approach may be his salvation, while for another person, the same approach only makes the situation worse. However, tefilla is a method that helps every person in every situation. Chazal teach us (Brachos 32a), "כל המאריך בתפלתו, אין תפלתו חוזרת ריקם" — when a person asks Hashem for something and doesn't let up, but rather davens and davens and davens, he will not walk away empty-handed.

This is especially true when a Yiddishe mama davens to Hashem day and night, "Hashem, grant me erliche children who will illuminate the world. Help my children be holy and never succumb to p'gam habris. Please help them remain pure." A mother who constantly davens for her children will merit children who are tzaddikim and who light up the world.

May Hashem bless you with success in all areas.

Adapted from The Light of Emunah #3, page 66