* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Mazal tov on the new year of learning which begins this week! According to Rav Yaakov Edelstein, although summer vacation from school starts at this time of year, this is when kids’ education truly begins.
During the year, the Rav explained, students are in a structured environment. There are classroom rules of conduct, bells and breaks between classes, and homework. But during summer vacation, students set their own schedule.
Rav Edelstein would tell young people that this is an opportunity to be who they really are. Especially when there is no outside structure imposed on them, when there are no teachers or exams, and they can express their true, best selves. They can create their own daily schedule — when to go to sleep and when to wake up, when and how to spend time with parents, siblings, and friends. Most importantly, they can choose the content that will fill their extensive free time. This is not just a taste of what life is like as an adult, but an opportunity to get better acquainted with the person they are meant to be.
And just this morning I received the picture below from Harel Biton, a teacher in Beit She’an. On their own initiative, kids of all ages will be coming every day to the Ort Evyatar yeshiva where they will pray and study Torah together, accompanied by chocolate milk and conversation. As the students explain it: “Summer vacation is the time to develop our character and contribute to the strength and the spirit of the nation of Israel.”
May we all have a successful vacation, meaning - a successful learning period...
