(2003/5763)
In the first Pasuk in this week’s Parsha, Hashem says to Moshe: “Emor El Hakohanim Bnei Aharon Viamarta Aleihem,” “Say to the Kohanim the sons of Aharon and tell them.” Immediately, Rashi explains why there is a double language of “Emor Viamarta” by saying that Moshe was supposed to speak to the adult Kohanim who should warn and educate the young Kohanim about everything that is said.
However, Rav Moshe Feinstein z”l asks why the word “Viamarta” has anything to with the children - the word Viamarta could be referring to the adult Kohanim!. He explains that for a father to simply repeat to his child what was told to him is not considered educating the child. If the child does not see that the commandments are precious to the father, then the child will never listen to the father. If all that the child hears from the father is the difficulty that the father endures in regard to Shabbos and Yom Tov, then all that the child will learn is that he must stand up to tests. As a result, the child will not be educated and he will say that he cannot fulfill these tests because he is too weak to conquer his Yetzer Hara. However, when the child hears how beloved these Mitzvot are to the father, and how these Mitzvot are the father’s way of life, then the child will be educated. This is why the double language is necessary. One word alludes to the obligation that the father has to fulfill the mitzvot, and the other word is for the love that the father has for the Mitzvah. Only a lesson like this can be told over to the child.
In these crucial times, it is important for a person to recognize how precious the mitzvot are. During the Seder on Pesach, it was the wicked son that was not properly educated by the father. This son did not see how beloved the mitzvot are to the Jewish People. However, with the Shavuot approaching, we have a chance to reaccept the Torah properly, and we can accept the Mitzvot out of love. Only then can a person be truly considered educated - when he learns to love the Torah.