Rashi explains that “your children” refers to one’s students. Indeed as Rashi notes, “talmidim,” students, are often referred to as “banim,” children. It seems puzzling that the Torah would refer to students as children, thereby attributing to the rebbe, teacher, the status of a father. Chazal clearly state that a rebbe has greater halachic status than a father, since the rebbe “brings” the student into “Olam Ha’bah,” while the father brings him only into Olam Ha’zeh.
Horav M. Feinstein, z.l., explains that, just as a father bequeaths his child specific natural traits, so, too, a rebbe imbues his student with his own unique personality. A student should reflect his rebbe’s character, just as a son reflects that of his father.
We may suggest a similar idea to be derived from here regarding the rebbe-talmid relationship. A rebbe should view his students as his own children. The love and concern which are synonymous with parenthood should be reflected by a teacher toward his student. Undoubtedly, when the student senses this special affection, he will reciprocate in kind.
