Education and Communication: Understanding the Human Psychology – Parshas Emor 5769
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Loading ...“Hashem said to Moshe: Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aaron, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people.” (Vayikra/Leviticus 21:1)
Communication is an extremely important tool in life. In fact, it’s part and parcel of just about everything we do. In this week’s Parsha, the Torah teaches us an important lesson in effective communication in the context of educating children. It clearly emphasizes the importance of understanding the human psyche as it can make or break the efforts of leaders, parents, mentors and teachers in imparting invaluable lessons of life. It can effect the way we communicate with those around us as well.
In the verse above, there exists an apparent redundancy. Moshe was instructed twice to speak to the Kohanim (high priests). Shouldn’t one time suffice?
Many commentaries provide enlightening reasons. I’d like to draw your attention to the explanation of Rashi. Rashi writes that the double expression was to caution the adults not to cause the children to become contaminated. Hence, the redundancy was meant to include those who were otherwise not included in this prohibition.
R’ Moshe Feinstein Ob”m provides us with deeper insight with the following example. When a parent educates their child they cannot merely inform them of the obligation. They need to provide them with the reason behind the teaching as well. Were they not to do so, the child would focus on the hardship and fall into despair, not giving themselves a chance of succeeding. After all, the odds seemed too great.
When a student is not only taught the subject matter, but is instilled with the passion and is apprised of the significance, semblance and relevance, it not only enters their mind but remains etched deep within their soul.
Thus, when it comes to teaching Torah and the Mitzvos, it must be more then – G-d forbid – a transfer of code. It’s the transmission of our heritage, tradition and lifestyle. Taught in such a fashion, the child will not view it as a burden but as a sacred task.
Based upon this fascinating explanation, we have our answer. The Torah was teaching us that when it comes to education there are two aspects, the actual teaching, as well as the reasons behind it.
R’ Moshe Shternbuch provides an alternative explanation albeit on a similar vein. In his famous work, Ta’am V’daas (Taste and Know), he writes that the Torah is teaching us an important lesson how we are to educate our children as well as those around us.
Leaders, Parents and Teachers must address their charges in a fashion that is suited to their needs. Every student has a unique personality, level of intelligence as well as mindset. It’s important that they are taught in a similar and consistent manner that will work.
By doing so, not only will the lesson be heard and understood, but it will be cherished and internalized forever. Some students are visual learners while others are drawn to the text itself. Some students may be faster than others. Nevertheless, by realizing that the key to successful education lies not only in the actual lesson but in the manner in which it’s given, we will be assured that we reach our students and see them integrate the teachings into their lives. It’s crucial that we seek to understand the importance of the human psychology if we want to teach in an effective, efficient and exemplary manner.
Such thoughts are more than modern day words of ingenuity, and can be clearly seen from King Solomon’s writings in Mishlei (Proverbs 22:6) where it states, “Educate a child according to his way. For when he gets older he will not turn from it.”
In conclusion, the lesson of Parshas Emor is that education is more than just a transfer of information alone. It’s about the transmission of the heritage, tradition and reasons behind our precious history and religion. The Torah is not – G-d forbid – a mere subject that is taught, but more importantly a way of life that has been passed on from generation to generation since our acceptance of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
We can also glean valuable insight as how to effectively communicate with those around us. There is a concept in the world of psychology – no pun intended – as how to ’speed read’ people. Meaning to say, once you know what a person is like and how they ‘tick’, you have a much better idea as how to communicate with them. For example, if a person is quiet, you’ll need to speak to them softly.
It’s all about developing personalized methods of education and communication to suit the needs of our children, family and students.
(Yes, we did just integrate Torah and modern psychology but if you read my bio you’ll understand.)
There is much we can learn and integrate into our lives be it in the way we communicate with others, as well as how we educate our children and pupils.
By understanding the needs of our children and students, we will create effective methods of ensuring that we continue our path toward the rebuilding of the Holy Temple adding links to our nation’s chain, one child and one lesson at a time.
Have a Good Shabbos. After all, it’s in the mind….
