(Based on a shmuess delivered by Rav Eliezer Turk shlita)
כי ידעתיו למען אשר יצוה את בניו ואת ביתו אחריו ושמרו דרך ה' לעשות צדקה ומשפט למען הביא ה' על אברהם את אשר דבר עליו
“For I have known him, so that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of Hashem, to do righteousness and justice, so that Hashem may bring upon Avraham that which He has spoken concerning him.” (Bereishis 18:19)
Throughout the generations, the gedolei Yisrael viewed the role of a melamed not merely as a profession, but as one of the holiest and most consequential callings in Jewish life.
In a powerful letter, Maran HaGaon Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner zt"l wrote that a teacher who views his position as no different from that of a bank clerk or office worker falls under the pasuk, “Cursed is he who performs the work of Hashem deceitfully.”
To be a teacher means far more than transmitting information. It means shaping the future generations of Klal Yisrael. It is a sacred mission, one that must be approached with awe, responsibility, and a profound sense of privilege.
A teacher who appreciates the magnitude of his task will naturally approach it with the seriousness, dignity, and devotion it deserves.
Rav Eliezer Turk relates that he once heard from the principal of a prominent Talmud Torah in Yerushalayim that many years ago he asked one of the leading gedolim what type of teachers he should seek for his institution.
The answer came immediately:
“Only those who feel genuinely happy and privileged to be teachers.”
A person who regards teaching as a burden can never truly inspire. Only someone who recognises the tremendous privilege of educating Jewish children can convey Torah with the warmth and enthusiasm necessary for success.
Never Be Embarrassed to Be a Melamed
There was once an avreich who became a melamed. On one occasion he met Maran HaGaon Rav Shmuel Rozovsky zt"l, the legendary Rosh Yeshivah of Ponovezh.
Rav Shmuel asked him what he did for a living.
Embarrassed by his position, the man hesitated and attempted to avoid answering.
Rav Shmuel immediately sensed what was happening and responded sharply:
“I do not know what you do. But one thing I know for certain: if you are a melamed, you are forbidden to be ashamed of your profession!”
He then added:
“Perhaps I should speak to the principal of your Talmud Torah and draw his attention to this problem...”
The message was clear. A person entrusted with educating Jewish children occupies one of the most honourable positions imaginable. Far from feeling embarrassed, he should view his work with pride and gratitude.
Every Child Is a Sefer Torah
The following remarkable story illustrates how our Torah leaders viewed the education of Jewish children.
Two men once came before Rav Shlomah Zalman Auerbach zt"l for a din Torah.
One earned his livelihood driving a van that transported children to Talmud Torah each morning. The other was the school-appointed supervisor who accompanied the children on the journey
For quite some time, they had been arguing over a seemingly mundane matter: Who should be responsible for opening the van door and helping the younger children in and out?
What began as a minor disagreement gradually developed into a genuine dispute, and they therefore sought Rav Shlomoah Zalman's ruling.
Upon hearing the matter, Rav Shlomah Zalman smiled warmly and said:
“You transport children to Talmud Torah. Every child who learns Torah is a miniature Sefer Torah. If so, the vehicle carrying them is comparable to an Aron HaKodesh. Opening the van door is like opening the Aron HaKodesh, and helping the children in and out is akin to removing and returning a Sefer Torah."
He then continued:
“Yet I have never seen two people arguing in shul over who deserves the privilege of opening the Aron HaKodesh...”
With those few words, Rav Shlomah Zalman transformed their entire perspective.
The argument did indeed continue, but now for the opposite reason.
Each man wanted the privilege of opening the door.
From that point onward, every child was greeted warmly, lovingly, and respectfully. Some were even welcomed with a kiss.
After all, they were not transporting ordinary children.
They were transporting Sifrei Torah.
A Message for Every Educator
These words deserve to be engraved in golden letters in every teachers' room.
Every educator must constantly remind himself of a simple but illuminating truth: his role is not merely another Torah-related occupation, and the children entrusted to him are not merely students.
His mission is sacred.
He is entrusted with transmitting the eternal Torah to the next generation. Through his efforts, the chain of Jewish continuity remains unbroken. Through him, the heritage of Sinai is passed from parent to child, from teacher to student, from one generation to the next.
Who can possibly measure the eternal reward reserved for those who dedicate their lives to such a mission?
Rav Dessler's Fear
Many years ago, a special gathering of educators was held in Petach Tikvah under the leadership of Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler zt"l.
When Rav Dessler rose to address the audience, he opened with an unexpected statement:
“I am afraid to speak.”
The assembled educators looked at him in surprise.
Rav Dessler explained:
“You think I am standing before merely a few dozen teachers. That is not what I see. Standing before me are thousands of children. I see your current students, and I see the many students you will teach in the years to come. Their futures depend, to a great extent, on your understanding of the sacred responsibility entrusted to you. Therefore, I am afraid.”
He continued:
“Who knows in whose classroom the next gadol hador is sitting? Perhaps one of you will teach the next Rabbi Akiva Eiger, the next Chasam Sofer, or the next Chofetz Chaim. The influence of a teacher upon his students is beyond measure and beyond description. Through a single word spoken here, I may affect the development of the next Torah giant and, through him, the future of an entire generation. That is why I am afraid.”
These words capture the extraordinary weight borne by parents and educators alike.
Every child possesses immense potential. No one can know what greatness lies hidden within a young soul. The future of a child is shaped not only by what he is taught, but by the attitudes, values, warmth, encouragement, and example provided by those entrusted with his growth.
Parents and teachers therefore carry an enormous responsibility. Through their words, actions, and personal example, they leave impressions that may remain with a child for decades and influence the course of an entire lifetime.
When viewed in this light, chinuch is not simply an obligation. It is one of the greatest privileges a person can ever be granted.