The Goal of Education
What is the ultimate goal of education?
A child or young adult may attend school or a place of higher education to receive valuable knowledge or attain a skill in a specific field. That information may then be used to advance a career and provide them with a future livelihood.
However, there is another aspect to education which far outweighs the above mentioned objective. The ultimate goal of education is to instill in our youth good morals, faith, values, fine character and purpose. This type of education is not only provided by academic institutions but rather something which begins from the moment a child is conceived and continues on for the rest of their lives. In this sense, the role of educators is not limited to teachers, although they do serve an important role, but is primarily the responsibility of parents and caregivers.
In this week’s Torah portion, Eikev, we read one of the most important prayers in Judaism, the prayer of Shema. In the second paragraph we read the verse, “And you shall teach them to your sons to speak with them, when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way and when you lie down and when you rise.” - Deuteronomy 11:19. Our Sages explain that this verse is referring to the responsibility of a parent to teach their children Torah and provide them with a Jewish education.
Torah learning is not just another academic discipline like science, economics or physics, but rather it embodies G-d’s infinite intellect and serves as a blueprint for the creation of the world. It provides us with a moral compass to lead a happy and meaningful life. Torah study enables us to experience an infinite bond with G-d and see the world through a more positive and transcendent lens. Torah study provides us with the tools to overcome the challenges, stress or anxiety that we may experience throughout our day.
The secret to Jewish continuity over thousands of years of our history is the primacy of Jewish education. In fact, that is the reason why ancient tyrants and anti-semites like Pharaoh, Haman, the Greeks and more recently Communist Russia all sought to first eradicate and ban Jewish education as a way of destroying the Jewish people. They all shared the common understanding of the secret to Jewish survival. Fortunately, they were not successful and we are here today more empowered than before.
Due to its infinite nature, Torah study can never be fully mastered and is not limited to a specific demographic or personality type. It is relevant to every person throughout all stages of life. The Torah continues to serve as a guide for most of the civilized world and remains relevant and vital in this ever changing world. The Mishnah teaches us that we should endeavor to set aside time for Torah study every day to provide spiritual nourishment to our souls similar to the way food provides physical nourishment to our bodies. For those of us who may be preoccupied with business pursuits or other pressing responsibilities, we should aim to at least set aside a few minutes of our day for Torah study.
In the last few decades, the opportunities and convenience of Torah study has exponentially increased through the use of technology. Thousands of apps and online classes are now available in multiple languages giving us the ability to study meaningful and relevant content from the comfort of our homes, offices or daily commutes.
We look forward to the day, very soon, when we will see the fulfillment of Maimonides teaching, “At that time (i.e. Messianic era) there will be no famines and no wars, no envy and no competition. For the Good will be very pervasive. All the delicacies will be as readily available as is dust. The world will only be engaged in knowing G-d...As it says, “For the Earth shall be filled of knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
