5756

Rashi cites the Sifri that interprets “your children” as referring even to one’s students, since the Torah views one’s students to be like his children. We may wonder why the Torah did not simply say, “You shall teach your students.” Why should this idea emerge only by inference? Horav Yechezkel Sarne, zl, responded with a profound insight. If one does not view his students as his children – then not only are they not his children – they are not even his students! The definition of a student is simple – a spiritual child related through the medium of Torah….

Chazal teach us that regarding he who places greater significance upon his material abundance than on his own body, the Torah says, “With all your resources.” For he whose body has greater importance than his money, the Torah says, “With all your soul.” Regardless of what is important to us, we must be willing to sacrifice it in the service of Hashem. The Chofetz Chaim examines this statement. What is the most important possession of a Jew? What takes precedence over everything? The Torah! It is our life. Without it, we simply cannot exist. Yet, declares the Chofetz Chaim, the…