The True Meaning of Higher Education

During the congressional hearing on anti-Semitism on December 5th, 2023, multiple Ivy League university presidents were asked a simple question: "Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate the university’s code of conduct?" Their responses were shockingly ambiguous: "It depends on context."

One does not need a PhD in ethics or world history to provide a straightforward answer to this question. Even a five-year-old child would have the moral clarity to unequivocally denounce terrorism. It should not be difficult to distinguish between a rapist-murderer and a person protecting themselves in self-defense.

Unfortunately, this incident, along with many other appalling events we have witnessed on college campuses since October 7th, has clearly demonstrated that anti-Semitic rhetoric is not limited to a few noisy outside agitators who have somehow infiltrated universities across America. Instead, with a few notable exceptions, these events demonstrate an erosion of basic human values in the very fabric of higher education. 

This has left many concerned parents wondering: "Is this the educational environment I want my children to aspire to attend? Are these the values I want my children to be inculcated with during their most formative years?"

This situation raises important questions: What is the role of education, especially in the modern world where so much information is readily available at our fingertips? More importantly, how do we restore morals and ethics to our education system?

There is a famous quote from Proverbs 9:10: “The beginning of wisdom is the awe of G-d”. Intellect and logic, when based solely on subjective biases, can easily be misconstrued and distorted. Even basic human rights can be seen as dependent on context. Only when one's values and wisdom are grounded in Divine truths and morals can one be confident in making the right decisions.

In this week’s Torah portion, Eikev, we learn about some of the fundamental ideas in Judaism, including the primacy of Jewish education. As the verse states, "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 refers to the responsibility of parents to teach their children Torah and provide them with a Jewish education. The ultimate goal of education is to instill in our youth good morals, faith, values, fine character, and purpose. This type of education should not only be provided by academic institutions but is something that begins from the moment a child is born and continues throughout 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.

Torah learning is not just another academic discipline like science, economics, or physics. Rather, Torah embodies G-d’s infinite intellect and serves as His blueprint for the creation of the world. It provides us with a moral compass to lead a happy and meaningful Jewish life. Torah study enables us to experience an infinite bond with G-d and see the world through a positive and transcendent lens. It provides us with the tools to overcome and rise above the challenges, stress, or anxiety we may experience throughout our day.

Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced persecution from various superpowers and tyrants, from ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans to more recent oppressors like Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, and jihadist terrorists. However, we have miraculously outlived them all and continue to thrive to this day.

The secret to Jewish continuity throughout our long history lies in a simple principle. Just as a scientist seeks to discover the essential properties of a natural element under various conditions, Jewish survival can be understood in the same way. The Jewish people are one of the oldest nations, and throughout the centuries, we have lived under diverse and challenging conditions, dispersed across the world, speaking different languages, and absorbing various cultures. Yet, the single constant factor that has preserved our people through all challenges is our adherence to our spiritual heritage through the study of Torah, observance of mitzvot, and providing a Jewish education to our children.

It is not our land, language, culture, race, or genetics that has made us indestructible, but rather our commitment to our spiritual values and teachings. This adherence to our unique heritage has allowed us to withstand the onslaught against the Jewish body and soul by dictators and tyrants throughout history.

The Talmud (Brachot 61b) tells the story of how Rabbi Akiva taught Torah in public at a time when the Roman government under Emperor Hadrian prohibited such activity. Another sage, Pappus ben Judah, said to him, “Akiva, are you not afraid of the government?” Rabbi Akiva replied with the following parable:

"A fox was once walking by the bank of a river and saw fish darting from place to place. 'What are you fleeing from?' he asked the fish. 'To escape the nets of the fisherman.' 'In that case,' said the fox, 'come and live on dry land together with me.' 'Are you the one they describe as the cleverest of animals?' the fish replied. 'You are not clever, but foolish. If we are in danger here in the water, which is the environment we need to live in, how much more so on dry land, where we are bound to die.' 'Torah is to Jewish survival,' said Rabbi Akiva, 'as water is to fish. Yes, we are in danger, but if we were to leave Torah, which sustains our identity, to enter the dry land of the Romans, we would certainly die."

The Mishnah teaches us the importance of dedicating time each day to Torah study, as it provides spiritual nourishment for our souls just as food nourishes our bodies. Even for those who are preoccupied with business pursuits or pressing responsibilities should strive to allocate at least a few minutes a day to Torah study.

In recent decades, technology has significantly expanded the opportunities and convenience of Torah study. Thousands of apps and online classes are now accessible in multiple languages, allowing us to engage with meaningful and relevant content from the comfort of our homes, offices, or during daily commutes.

The abundance of opportunities for Torah study in our times is a prelude to the ultimate redemption. As Maimonides states, “At that time [i.e., the 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 with knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea’" (Isaiah 11:9).