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News Archive

2006-06-26

Commencement 2006: Hebrew Valedictory (translated)
by Laura Chiel '06

In his “Tribute to the Rebbitzen of Talne” Rav Soloveitchik, zt”l, discusses the verse “Hear my son the instruction of thy father (mussar avikha) and forsake not the teachings of thy mother (torat imekha)” (Proverbs 1:8), seeking to convey the distinctive values he learned from his parents which together combine to form a person with a rich understanding of how to lead a Jewish life. The Rav begins by defining mussar avikha. He explains:

One learns much from father: how to read a text—the Bible, the Talmud—how to comprehend, how to analyze, how to conceptualize, how to classify, how to infer, how to apply, etc. One also learns from father what to do and what not to do, what is morally right and what is morally wrong. Father teaches the son the discipline of thought as well as the discipline of action. Father’s tradition is an intellectual-moral one. That is why it is identified with mussar, which is the Biblical term for discipline.

The Rav continues by describing torat imekha, by means of contrasting it with mussar avikha. He recalls what he learned from his own mother:

Most of all, I learned that Judaism expresses itself not only in formal compliance with the law but also in a living experience. She taught me that there is a flavor, a scent and warmth to mitzvot. I learned from her the most important thing in life—to feel the presence of the Almighty and the gentle presence of His hand, resting upon my frail shoulders. [. . .] The laws of Shabbat, for instance, were passed on to me by my father; they are a part of mussar avikha. The Shabbat as a living entity, as a queen, was revealed to me by my mother; it is a part of torat imekha. The fathers knew much about the Shabbat; the mothers lived the Shabbat, experienced her presence, and perceived her beauty and splendor.

As we, the graduating class, reflect upon our years at Maimonides, we are grateful for our education which so seamlessly melded mussar avikha, “intellectual-moral” training, and torat imekha, the opportunity to live what we have learned.

From the dedicated men and women who have been our teachers, we have begun to receive mussar avikha. Our teachers have patiently exposed us to a wide range of ideas and have given us a foundation in a wide array of subjects. At Maimonides, we have been given the necessary skills to decipher a line of gemara, solve a physics problem, and defend our unwavering belief in the State of Israel. We have argued about the meaning of a line of poetry and puzzled over how to interpret history. We have learned how to ask questions, how to manage time, and how to write cogently. We have learned that there is so much we have yet to learn, and that our high school education should serve as a springboard into a life of learning.

Maimonides has not only given us a taste of the intellectual, but also the moral component of mussar avikha about which the Rav spoke. Our school is full of good role models, whether they are teachers or students. We have internalized the importance of chesed, how devoting one hour of your time can help immeasurably. The value of community has been stressed to us; we gather together in both good and difficult times.

My classmates and I were fortunate enough to receive torat imekha from Maimonides as well. What we learned in our Judaic studies classes translated into an authentic, genuine appreciation for Yahadut. After an already very long school day, many participated in Mishmar, choosing to stay late once a week to continue studying Talmud with their friends. Teachers generously invited us over to share Purim and Shabbat meals. We celebrated Simchat Torah together. Our passion could be heard almost daily with the singing and dancing that, often too raucously, shook the halls. We felt the “warmth” of the mitzvoth that we had learned together in class; at Maimonides we not only studied, but also experienced.

This class took the intellectual tools we had been given and translated them into our extra-curricular passions. The creativity, motivation, dedication, and leadership that the seniors displayed resulted in true accomplishment. This year’s Mock Trial team made the state tournament for the first time. Interested and inspired by their economics class, seniors entered an online business competition, Titan, and, as rookies, ranked 13th in the country. This year’s play showcased the imagination of the director, humor of the actors, and the technical competence of the crew.

We were given the opportunity to participate in many chesed initiatives. We volunteered together as an entire grade at Greater Boston Food Bank. As second semester seniors, each one of us volunteered once a week, in places such as nursing homes, hospitals, inner-city schools, or homeless shelters. Members of our class took lessons of chesed to heart and devoted hours weekly to head the only Kosher soup kitchen in the Boston area. Students sought out many volunteer opportunities outside of school, answering calls at a local suicide hotline, enjoying Yachad events with people with special needs.

At Maimonides, we not only learned the importance of community, but we also felt it on many different levels. Each classroom became a learning community with a caring teacher at its head. Many of us participated on sports teams on both the inter- and intramural levels. This year, the girls’ and boys’ soccer teams each made it to the State Tournament for the first time. Our grade is its own special community—we sit together every day at breakfast and lunch and exchange tens, and occasionally hundreds, of e-mails a night.

We are grateful to the Maimonides administration and faculty for teaching us, sparking our interest, and pushing us to succeed inside the classroom; we are even more appreciative for their inspiration of how we should live outside the classroom. To the Class of 2006, as we graduate today, it is my hope that each one of us carries the two traditions that Maimonides has instilled within us. First, continue to lead a life of learning. Now is the time to explore your unique interests. We have been endowed with tools to pursue serious study in any area. Second, continue living what you learn. Continue to feel the strength of Judaism, exercise your creative intellect, devote yourself to chesed, and be an important player within each and every community to which life brings you.

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