Torati Portion
Much Praise Is Due
To Teachers Of Torah
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community? Who sets that example for
old and young?
Many people, of course, but I think
mostly of our teachers of Torah. Like
the Levites, they are specialized —
from early childhood to adult educa-
tion, in settings both formal and infor-
mal, as teachers of gifted students, and
pink of the person whom
as instructors of those with special
you consider most;*orthy of needs — all who study Torah in order
role
praise and honor.: '
to teach it are the guardians of our
does such aperso4- ccupy?
sacred tradition.
What occupation is worthy d . im or
Like the Levites (initially, at least),
her? What compensation is appropriate
classroom teachers are often poorly
for them?
compensated. Like the
These are my thoughts as I
Levites, today's teachers of
turn each year to parashat
Torah live in a paradoxical
Naso (which literally means
situation. Their work is
"lift up"). It is a portion
essential for making a place
known for other things —
for God in our community.
the laws of the Nazirite and
Yet some of their task has the
the priestly benediction. But
quality of drudgery that can
it begins by describing the
be discouraging even to the
duties of Israel's most cele-
most idealistic among them.
brated tribe.
Without dedicated and
The Levites were the tribe" RABBI DANIEL gifted teachers of Torah,
of Moses, Miriam and Aaron.,
NEVINS
however, where would God
They produced and serviced
Special to the
be welcome? The Talmud
the priests; they guarded the
Jewish News
says (Sukkah 496) that those
Temple. The songs of the
who study Torah in order to
Levites expressed Israel's
teach it to others express
praise of God and accompanied the
Torat chesed, a teaching of love. We are
sacrifices. But their primary duty as
blessed with many such teachers — but
described in our portion was that of
do they know that we have noticed? Is
shleppers: The Levites were porters in
their love reciprocated?
the desert, hauling the tabernacle's
Sckool is nearly out, and hundreds
sacred furniture for 40 years under the
of teachers are preparing to disassemble
hot Sinai sun.
their classrooms, file their lesson plans
You might think that the Levites
and perhaps think about next year. On
would delegate this physically demand-
this Shabbat, let us "lift up" their exam-
ing task to their boys and young men.
ple and give them the recognition that
But the Torah specifies that the work of they deserve. Find a teacher of Torah
portage was to be handled by men aged and thank him or her for their sacred
30 to 50. Carrying the holy ark and all
work. Thank them for seeing that the
of its accoutrements, assembling the
load they bear is not a burden, but a
tabernacle and then packing it up —
treasure. Thank them for keeping the
this was an essential task, and only
Torah close by, so that our journey in
mature Levites were entrusted with it.
life is not via a barren wilderness, but
Each of their three clans received a spe-
always through a miraculous land of
cial task; each was honored with a mis-
discovery. 0
sion from God.
Why was this job so important?
Through their labor, the Levites
ensured that God would always have a
home in the midst of the people.
Have you ever considered becom-
Through their sweat, the Levites gave
ing a teacher? What would you
dignity and respect to the tabernacle.
teach, if you could? What is stop-
Through their dedication, the Levites
ping you? Why are school teachers
reminded all of Israel that it is a privi-
paid so much less than most other
lege and a joy to serve God.
professionals? What should we be
Who, may I ask, are today's Levites?
doing to rectify this situation?
Who does the heavy lifting, the diffi-
What is a Torah education worth?
cult but most essential work of our
How much sacrifice is it reason-
able to expect from families to pay
Daniel Nevins is a rabbi at Adat
for their child's education?
Shalom Synagogue.
Shabbat Naso:
Numbers 4:21-7•89;
Judges 13:2-25.
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