Jacob had concluded his apprenticeship by the leading blacksmith in Amsterdam and moved to a new city where he announced the grand opening of his blacksmith the following Monday.
As hundreds of people gathered to watch as he begins his first product, Jacob started working. Then it happened. Nothing worked! Try as he might, he couldn't get anything to form!
Humiliated, he returns to his teacher and shares everything. Announcing the grand opening, gathering of people and nothing working. After much thought his teacher slowly raised his head and asked, "Jacob, did you light the fire under the table?"
Over three years Jacob had spent learning the craft perfectly. Yet the heart of the task had been ignored.
As parents, are we demanding or inspiring our children? As educators, are we teaching academics or educating the next generation? We must share the fire: the meaning and warmth of life. The meaning and warmth of our expectations and teachings.
At Maimonides, we place great emphasis on giving students a meaningful and warm experience.