In a departure from the literal translation, Rashi defines “banecha,” which is usually translated as “your children, ” to mean “talmidecha,” your students. Why is this? We are taught that the respect for a rebbe, Torah teacher, takes precedence over respecting one’s father. One is obligated to show a greater degree of respect towards his rebbe than towards his father. Why would the Torah analogize a rebbe’s Torah-teaching to a father and son relationship? Moreover, we find that Elisha referred to his rebbe, Eliyahu Hanavi, as “Avi, Avi,” “My father, My father.” If a rebbe is to be held in greater esteem, he should have called Eliyahu, “rebbe, rebbe.”
Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, explains that just as a father bequeaths his natural physical and emotional characteristics to his son, so, too, should a rebbe inspire and influence his students to be like him – naturally. His personality and character, his middos tovos, positive character traits, devotion to and love for Torah and virtue should be innately imbued in his students. The rebbe should be like a father, not only in his love for his students, but also in his influence on them.
