SET BEFORE THEM

Published February 11, 2010

The first verse of our portion is worded in an unusual way: These are the laws that you shall put before them - ואלה המשפטים אשר תשים לפניהם. The Ramban says it should have said אשר תשים לפניהם, that you should give them. What is the significance of the word לפניהם, before them?

There are various explanations. The Gemara in Gitin (88) says: in front of THEM - and not in front of goyim. From here we learn the prohibition of taking our disputes to a non-Jewish court.

Rashi brings a different explanation for the use of this word. He quotes from the Mechilta which says that this is what G-d said to Moshe: “If you were to think that you would teach the laws to the nation of Israel two or three times until they know them, but won’t trouble to help them understand the reasons for the laws and all the explanations then I am instructing you otherwise. EILEH HAMISHPATIM ASHER TASIM LIFNEIHEM - you shall set before them - as a set table which is all ready for the person to eat from” G-d told Moshe that he had to teach the laws in a way that was completely clear to everyone.

Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Lubchanski explained that this is a message to everyone how to teach others. It’s not enough to repeat a lesson two or three times. We must continue explaining until the other person has grasped everything. This sometimes requires a lot of patience, which unfortunately, not all teachers possess. Not every teacher will go over the same lesson numerous times till it is clear to every student.

Lack of patience is not the only reason teachers might not give over all the material required. Perhaps they prefer to spend their time increasing their own knowledge and would rather not “waste” their precious time explaining everything thoroughly, or maybe since he himself understands the material, he may not be aware of that someone else might have difficulty understanding. He himself is unable to grasp the other’s difficulty in understanding.

Another reason a teacher might not teach with all the details mapped out might be that he fears that if he teaches his students everything, he knows his students will no longer consider him their teacher since they will know as much as he does.

Our verse teaches us that this is not the proper way for a teacher to be. Teachers must be patient and willing to explain things as many times as needed and in as many ways as needed. Teachers must, at times, be willing to “sacrifice” their own spiritual and intellectual growth in order to help their students. In general, teachers must have their students best interest in mind at all times.

We all have opportunities to be teachers whether as parents or with colleagues… One way to help us remember our obligation to make sure the lesson we are trying to impart is fully understood by the other is to remember the words of the Rambam in the Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Talmud Torah, 5:13 -
“Disciples increase the teacher’s wisdom and broaden his mind. The sages said, “Much wisdom I learned from my teachers, more from my colleagues, from my pupils most of all.” Even as a small piece of wood kindles a large log, so a pupil of small attainment sharpens the mind of his teacher, so that by his questions, he elicits glorious wisdom.

I had our verse in mind this past week when I participated in a cooking class given by Linda Asher in her restaurant - Belinda’s. Some chefs don’t like to share their secrets with others - but Linda and her colleague Molly taught us many tricks of the trade in a very patient clear way. The lesson was definitely “set out before us” This week’s recipe is from Linda. And anyone looking for a good cooking class, I can definitely recommend Linda’s. And to “set out your table” this Shabbat nicely, here’s a website for napkin folding: http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com

SWEET SHORTCRUST PASTRY
300g flour
200g margarine (you can use butter if you prefer)
100g icing sugar
3 egg yolks

This can be made in the food processor. Cut margarine into pieces. Mix with flour. Add icing sugar. Slowly add egg yolks. Bake a few minutes till hard and cool before filling.

CHOLCOLATE GANACHE
100ml cream (you can use parve cream if you want)
100g bitter chocolate

Heat the cream and just as it comes to the boil take off the heat. Immediately add the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate has melted. Pour into pastry crusts.