Shabbat Nasso and Shavuot

As the Hag of Shavuot approaches us, we are expected to receive the TORAH anew and fresh as if it was given today. We always search for a new meaning or nuance that will enrich our lives. After all, the etymology of the word TORAH, comes from the word HORA'A, which means TEACHINGS, the greatest commodity of all times. Judaism has been by far, the greatest nation on earth to give EDUCATION the Olympic gold medal it deserves.

While we praise EDUCATION and place it on top of our list, somehow, a teacher is not one of those career or profession to be sought or encouraged by parents.
I was visiting a teacher in his office this week, when I notice an essay hanged on the wall, titled "WHAT TEACHERS MAKE" It went as follows

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who cannot, teach"
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You are a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What DO YOU MAKE?
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make" (She posed for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an Ipod, game cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make “( She posed again and looked at each and every person at the table)
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and make them write
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identities.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand to sing our anthem because we live in the best country in the world.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
( Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...
You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT.
"Teachers make every other profession".
As we stand at the threshold of the Hag, We remember that The one who brought us the Torah was given the title of "RABBENU" Moshe -our teacher par excellence. From Moshe till our own days, it was the teachers of Torah who have guided us and enriched our lives. Let us celebrate this festival of Shavuot by dedicating ourselves to their teachings. MOADIM LESIMHAH