Hard things

“With that understanding, you can see why Mrs. Bloch and I were talking about how to enhance our kabbalas haTorah this year,” Mrs. Horowitz’s eyes were shining. “Of course, we thought about you, as well — our fantastic students. How we can make your Shavuos more meaningful. We had a wonderful idea.”

Chavi eyed Mrs. Horowitz warily. School, teachers, and wonderful ideas didn’t always go together. Since she had struggled with academics since first grade, she already knew that most wonderful ideas her teachers had weren’t so great for her.

“This year,” Mrs. Horowitz continued passionately, “we are going to have a three-part project to prepare for Matan Torah. As it says in Pirkei Avos, the world stands on three things — Torah, chesed, and tefillah. Our project is going to include all three facets. Part one,” she sang out, turning to the board behind her, “is Torah. We are going to each memorize the Aseres Hadibros.” As Mrs. Horowitz wrote the words on the board, Chavi’s heart fell. Memorizing! In Lashon Kodesh!

“Part two,” Mrs. Horowitz went on, “is chesed. We’ve arranged for a one-day chesed project on the last day of school before Erev Shavuos. Instead of coming to school, you will partner with a classmate, and you’ll spend two hours helping families get ready for Yom Tov. We’ve matched each pair of girls with a family who needs extra help this year. Some families just had a baby, or have a sick family member, or have a child with special needs. Your two hours of chesed will help them bring in Yom Tov with much more joy!” Mrs. Horowitz was positively glowing as she wrote the words Chesed at homes in the community on the board. Chavi felt sick.