Bo
In this week's Shabbat Shira parsha, Beshalach, the Jewish people sing a song (one of only ten in the entire Scriptural period) after crossing the Red Sea safely. This song was a reaction to finally understanding how G-d's plan -- all of it, including the suffering of the Jews in Egypt -- made sense and fit together. This understanding even extended into the future, in the sense that whatever were to happen would also be clearly understood to be G-d's will and part of His plan.
On a much lower level and smaller scale, every teacher dreams of the moment when their students suddenly understand a topic that up until that moment of time has made no sense to a child. As a teacher, it's easy to see that the student isn't connecting the parts of the puzzle, or might not even reach the level of understanding that the pieces should fit together. But suddenly a light goes on, and the physical reaction from the student -- the relief from the tension, the smile, the large eyes -- makes it clear that the topic suddenly makes sense in all of its intricacies. This is yet another teaching moment when educators are certain that they chose their profession wisely!
It is said that at the crossing of the sea every single person reached a level of revelation unmatched even by future prophets. While it is obviously too much to even hope and pray that we approach this level, may we all make every effort personally to recognize the hand of G-d in even the mundane moments of our everyday lives.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
On a much lower level and smaller scale, every teacher dreams of the moment when their students suddenly understand a topic that up until that moment of time has made no sense to a child. As a teacher, it's easy to see that the student isn't connecting the parts of the puzzle, or might not even reach the level of understanding that the pieces should fit together. But suddenly a light goes on, and the physical reaction from the student -- the relief from the tension, the smile, the large eyes -- makes it clear that the topic suddenly makes sense in all of its intricacies. This is yet another teaching moment when educators are certain that they chose their profession wisely!
It is said that at the crossing of the sea every single person reached a level of revelation unmatched even by future prophets. While it is obviously too much to even hope and pray that we approach this level, may we all make every effort personally to recognize the hand of G-d in even the mundane moments of our everyday lives.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
