A few minutes of care
Recently I was thinking about a concept that I learned in primary school when I was in fourth or fifth grade…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie.
Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
The content of the idea is not relevant here. What is significant is why I remember the idea.
I remember it clearly because of the way it was taught to me. I had come down with the flu, and was bed ridden for a few days. One morning there was a knock on the door – it was my teacher Rabbi Chrysler (a fantastic Chumash teacher) who had come for a quick visit to see how I was, to tell me that I was missed at school and while he was there he wished to share with me a quick Torah thought on the weekly Parsha.
This Rabbi was a fantastic teacher/ educator. He upgraded my learning skills in learning to a whole new level and I remember which portions of the Chumash he taught us. Strangely enough however, I cannot identify specific ideas that he shared in class. It is this one concept that stuck in my mind and I have never forgotten it.
I think the reason is obvious. Taking the few minutes of his busy schedule to come and enquire how I was feeling made such am impact and impression on me that I remember everything from that visit.
We all have a sphere of influence. Whether its children, students, family or just friends there are people who we can influence and inspire. Part of that process certainly includes imparting knowledge we have, to others who wish to learn. But at the end of the day a few minutes of genuine concern will go a lot further than a year worth of lessons. To influence others we have to care for them – to inspire those around us we have to love them.
