We’re grateful that we have been able to make our parenting programs accessible internationally. Our Global Parenting Summit had thousands of participants from around the world! Stay tuned for details about our next Global Parenting Summit coming in May.
Our EPIC Family Shabbos of Empowerment and Inspiration has turned into an EPIC Week! Due to the demand of these events, we decided to hire two additional dedicated, talented staff members to help run them. It is an honor to welcome to Rabbi Eliyahu Cohen as executive director and Rabbi Shlomo Pinkus as director of global programing at EPIC Family.
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Once again, we are preparing to sit down on Seder night surrounded by our children.
One of the memorable points of the evening is when the Haggadah instructs us to tell over the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim to the four types of sons. However, it describes them in a long-winded manner: “One of them is a chacham, one is a rasha, one is a tam, and one is she’einah yodei’a lishol.”
Why does the Haggadah find it necessary to say “one” before each son? Why not just state, “The Torah addresses four sons: the chacham, the rasha, the tam, and the she’einah yodei’a lishol”?
Perhaps the answer can be understood in light of the Maharal’s insight that the Haggadah isn’t telling us what to say to the four sons, but rather how to respond to them. We must explain to each child the lessons of Yetzias Mitzrayim in the way they will understand, so that it will become a part of them.
Therefore the Haggadah stresses, “Echad chacham, echad rasha, echad tam,” and so on. Each child needs his to be taught according to his ability and personality; there isn’t one answer for everyone. This is a lesson we must remember all year round when being mechanech our children: Each child requires their own tailormade chinuch.
I’ve heard in the name of gedolim that “a teacher shouldn’t teach Torah, but rather teach students.” Obviously, a teacher is teaching Torah, but he has to ensure that his students are learning the Torah he is teaching — by giving over the lessons in a way that suits them.
May we all rise to the challenge of reaching each child according to their capabilities, and see another strong link in our heritage until the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our days.
Wishing you a chag kasher v’samei’ach,
Rabbi Yaacov Goodman
Founder and CEO of EPIC Family (formerly Yedidim)