The Hebrew language often reveals ideas that shape Jewish life. One such insight lies in the shared root of the words חינוך, education, and חנוכה, dedication. Both come from the root ח–נ–ך, reminding us that education, at its core, is not simply the transmission of information, but an act of dedication, initiating a person into a lifelong relationship with Torah, mitzvot, and middot.
The holiday of Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash after a period of spiritual darkness. The Maccabees did not build something new; they restored purpose to something sacred that had been disrupted. Chinuch works much the same way. Jewish education is not about manufacturing identity, but about helping each child uncover and recommit to the holiness already within them.
This idea is powerfully expressed in Rashi's comment on Parshat Beha'alotcha. When Aharon is commanded to light the Menorah, the pasuk in Bamidbar 8:2 says:
דַּבֵּר אֶל־אַהֲרֹן וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ אֶת־הַנֵּרֹת אֶל־מוּל פְּנֵי הַמְּנוֹרָה יָאִירוּ שִׁבְעַת הַנֵּרוֹת׃
Speak to Aharon and say to him, "When you raise up the lamps, the lamps should give light at the front of the Menorah."
One would imagine that Aharon would be instructed to light, להדליק, the lamps on the Menorah. Rashi picks up on this unusual verb:
בהעלתך. עַל שֵׁם שֶׁהַלַּהַב עוֹלֶה, כָּתוּב בְּהַדְלָקָתָן לְשׁוֹן עֲלִיָּה, שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְהַדְלִיק עַד שֶׁתְּהֵא שַׁלְהֶבֶת עוֹלָה מֵאֵלֶיהָ (שבת כ"א)...
Rashi explains that when the Torah commands Aharon to light the Menorah, the Kohen must light the wick until the flame rises on its own. The responsibility of the lighter is not only to ignite, but also to remain present until the flame is strong and self-sustaining. In the same way, educators and parents are charged with nurturing children patiently until the values and character traits we hope to instill take root independently.
Mishlei (22:6) adds another guiding principle:
חֲנֹךְ לַנַּעַר עַל־פִּי דַרְכּוֹ גַּם כִּי־יַזְקִין לֹא־יָסוּר מִמֶּנָּה׃
We are instructed to educate each according to his own talents and disposition so that in his old age he won't turn away from it.
Every child is unique, and the path that will ignite their own inner flame differs from one student to the next. Some respond to structured learning, some to questions and debate, and still others to hands-on projects. Just as the Kohen adjusts his care until the flames of the Menorah burn steadily, educators and parents must guide each child according to their own nature, patiently providing the conditions in which their personal flame can rise.
Chanukah reinforces this message beautifully. The Maccabees found only one cruse of pure oil, enough for a single day. Yet they lit it anyway, trusting that dedication itself would generate more light. A Maimonides Jewish education works in much the same way. We begin with small moments—shared learning, meaningful tefillah, thoughtful conversations, and experiential learning. Over time, these moments accumulate, illuminating lives far beyond our classroom walls.
There is also humility embedded in this model. The one who lights the Menorah does not own the flame. Likewise, parents and teachers do not control children's outcomes. Our role is to lovingly create the conditions in which growth can occur, and then to step back when the flame begins to burn independently. The success of chinuch is measured not in immediate results, but in continuity—when students carry Torah forward into their own lives and communities.
May we continue to dedicate ourselves to the sacred work of chinuch: Lighting the flame carefully, nurturing each child patiently according to their way, and trusting in Hashem that the light we kindle will rise on its own and illuminate the world for generations to come.
