“And he led forth his trained ones [chanichav]” (Bereishis 14:14)
The lofty activity of preparing a child for his future life is called chinuch.… Avraham Avinu had chanichim trained ones from his household whom he cultivated by means of his words and his life example. In the face of an entire world filled with heresy he saved these people and gave them a life permeated with knowledge and awe of Hashem. He taught them with his deeds and they did all their actions according to his guidance; therefore they are called his trained ones.…
Today too each descendant of our father Avraham has an obligation to … raise well-trained students according to his words and his life example. And by means of his guiding his children in the miniature Mikdash that is his home he will accustom them to a life of serving Hashem. (Avnei Chinuch — Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch)
This afternoon the kids were huddled around their desks “preparing a surprise for me.” Finally after two hours of surreptitious activity they presented me with a homemade booklet of thank-you notes from all the children.
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