And the Almighty spoke to Abram, “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5). In ancient Hebrew, Abraham means “a father of many.”
Ever since spiritual leaders took the responsibility for the needs of their communities, they have been respected as fathers. The spiritual leader is expected to provide comfort, advice and moral fortitude. The natural father brings a child into the world, creating a physical human being; and the nature versus the nurture conflict begins. Spirituality is usually left to the spiritual leader - father of the community.
As a parent, I am a father to my children and grandchildren. To my congregation, I am a spiritual father for them, their children and families. Somehow the spiritual leaders must carry the responsibilities above and beyond the skills demanded of the natural parents.
I always thought that when President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day (roses are the Father’s Day flowers – red to be worn for a living father and white if the father is dead), he omitted giving respect to the spiritual fathers of our nation. I have been taught that the founding fathers of our glorious Republic were spiritual, respectful and divinely inspired. They set the high bar for morality and self-respect. I guess the President took that for granted.
With the latest Jackson debacle I begin to wonder: What is happening to our children? We are now told that it is permitted for grown men to sleep with children, and the responsibility doesn't fall on those taking that liberty, but on the parents who allow these things to happen. Or perhaps the children have to make the choice themselves.
Now for the good news: We, the Jewish nation, have the responsibility of teaching the world the Noahidic laws that consist of seven divine laws: Do not worship idols, do not blaspheme, do not murder, do not steal, do not commit immoral sexual acts, do not be cruel to animals and maintain justice. We now have the opportunity to teach them in the school system.
The Los Angeles Universal Preschool program (LAUP) is offering quality preschool for any four-year-old in LA County. Proposition 10 - The Tobacco Tax - pays the grant. LAUP promotes children’s individual needs in the areas of creative, cognitive, social and health development. The LAUP program philosophy is, “Increasing access to high-quality preschool for the children of Los Angeles County” regardless of family income, religion or nationality. By building an early educational infrastructure, the children will have standards that will improve their lives and creative thinking and most of all give them a safe and sound moral basis. Our school has recently won the lottery to house this program.
Who would have ever thought that my little Jewish faith-based preschool in the South Bay would offer a program for a diversified group of children? The children come from Caucasian, South African, Italian, Hispanic, Irish, German, Dutch, Argentinean, Chinese, Taiwanese, African American and Samoan backgrounds, giving a new meaning to “America, the melting pot”.
How indescribable it is to share my immense satisfaction I receive walking into a classroom filled with happy children and teachers from so many backgrounds. What a gift this LAUP program is. How can I enhance the success of their lives through education?
After this latest sensational trial, I know that by teaching the little children morals and tolerance, pride and respect for one another they will have a complete childhood experience. They will not live lacking social skills, the basics for survival and healthy transitional growth. It is a shame that some of the so-called musical icons of society were not given the opportunities that these children now have.
Whether I blame the jury, the child, Michael, or the parent is not my job. My job is to be the very best father in a physical and spiritual fashion. When children and parents see love and respect from their teachers, the fathers of society, they reciprocate. Boundaries become natural and affection is shown in a proper setting. By influencing the children during their “sponge years,” we teach trust, clarity and loving discipline.
Let’s remember the Ten Commandments: “Honor your father and mother.” By having spiritually inspired teachers in a school setting, children will grow up with spiritual and physical sensitivities.
A happy Father’s Day to all fathers, including the spiritual ones.
Rabbi Eli Hecht is vice–president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and past–president of the Rabbinical Council of California. He is the director of Chabad of South Bay in Lomita, CA, which houses a synagogue, day school, nursery school and chaplain cy programs.