Paint a futuristic picture. According to a midrash (Rus Rabbah 5:6), had Reuven, Aharon, and Boaz known their actions would be recorded in the Torah, they would have done even more than they did. Yafeh Anaf suggests this midrash tells us these three great personalities failed to grasp that their behavior would be recorded in the Torah as exemplary examples for later generations. Had they realized this, they would have elevated their already stellar behavior to an even higher level.
As parents and educators, it is our responsibility to paint a picture of the future – to let our children see the great possibilities of success and happiness that await them in the short and long term. They need to understand that such things do not happen on their own but are the product of hard work, resilience, commitment, and other qualities.
Daven. We all want for our children to be happy and successful. Certainly we don’t want them to experience a poor year, particularly with all the money we pay in tuition. Daven regularly that they succeed.
Of course, the above list represents but a handful of suggestions that can help to ensure a successful year from beginning to end. May all of our tefillos be answered and may we shep much nachas from our children throughout the most amazing and successful year that is now upon us.
