Testing the Waters - Part 1

There was once a man who owned a well that had the most refreshing and delicious water to be had… anywhere. For years he happily shared the water with his neighbors and with the many visitors who came from far and wide to partake in the refreshing water.

Eventually, the neighbors asked to become distributors of the special well-water from their own homes, so that it would be easier for more people to enjoy it. The neighbors planned to build pipelines that would draw water to their home, directly from the source, and they would share the water from there. And in the future, they would offer their neighbors to draw water with their pipelines, and share it with others… and so on.

The owner agreed, but with a few conditions: All materials used for any pipeline must be from the highest quality, and guaranteed to protect the water against rust and contamination. As well, each distributor must commit to test the water frequently, ensuring that the water received by the end user was as clean and fresh as it is found in the source.

You see, the owner wanted to avoid people getting water of an inferior quality, because then they would stop drinking the water altogether, thinking that the source was contaminated. He understood that no matter how clean the waters were on his end, if the pipes delivering the water were not of the highest quality, they would contaminate it, and the people drinking from it would mistakenly disrespect and distrust the original owner and his special water.

***

When appointing leaders and judges for the B'nei Yisroel, Moshe Rabbeinu selected only men of integrity; men who had true humility and a strong commitment to the Torah and their Tafkid. He made sure that these men would deliver only the highest quality "water"; exactly as it is found in its source. These men would never stop refining their character, and do all in their power to make sure that they do not become "rusty pipes" - who, due to a personal deficiency, deliver Torah of an "inferior quality".

In doing so, Moshe Rabbeinu made sure to avoid a situation in which a Jew would "drink from an inferior pipeline" and then altogether stop drinking from the waters, because “what is so special with these waters anyway?”... when, in reality, the water is pure, it was merely delivered in a rusty pipe.

***

What can we do to ensure that our manner of educating our children maintains the purity and integrity of the Torah?

What can we do to ensure that our children will continue drinking from the pure waters of the Torah, and with Hashem's help, pass it on to future generations to come?

Ideas and inspiration in Testing the Waters - Part 2.