The Good Path – part I

This Lag b’Omer, I’m heeding my own advice and stepping out of my comfort zone. I’m sharing mystical thoughts courtesy of an old Hassidic tale, Aish Hatorah and Rabbi Yonason Goldson, founder of Ethical Imperatives. Of course, since I am “all about” providing practical, easy-to-implement marketing and development content, I am still providing a link to 33 strategic suggestions.

Rabban Yochanon ben Zakka instructed his students: Go see which is the good path to which a person should cleave. Rabbi Eliezer said: A good eye. Rabbi Yehoshua said: A good friend. Rabbi Yossi said: A good neighbor. Rabbi Shimon said: To foresee consequences. Rabbi Elazar said: A good heart. Rabban Yochanon replied: I prefer the words of Elazar ben Arach over your words, for included in his words are all of yours. {Ethics of the Fathers, 2:13}

As educators, you’ll note that Rabban Yochanon did not define the “good path” for his students. Rather, he instructed them on how to discover the answer.

But why did he favor Rabbi Elazar’s response?
The best way to understand our place in the world is to look into the Torah. This was how Rabban Yochanon’s students interpreted his mandate to “go and see.” They began by rereading the creation narrative, searching for clues about the “good path.”

Each student stopped at: And God saw the light, that it was good. Each student recognized that the Torah’s first mention of the word “good” offered the most likely source for divining the good path. From this point on, however, their interpretations diverged.

Click here to read the Good Path – part II  and discover interesting insights learned through their journey and Rabbi Elazar’s response.

Have questions? Should you have any questions about assessing present materials, implementing a marketing plan, crafting compelling stories, utilizing data-driven research to present your case, or any of my cost-effective day school services, please feel free to send me an email or call me at 516.569.8070.

Kol tuv,

Candace Plotsker-Herman