This week's Torah portion teaches about the amazing event known as ‘Hakhel’ where the entire nation would gather in Jerusalem every seven years to listen to the reading of the Torah. "Gather together the people – the men, the women, and the small children" (Devarim 31:12).

Why bring the little children? It is clear that the men and women would gain from this, but children would not have the intellect to learn nor the patience to listen!

Rabbi Yeruchum and the Sefat Emet explain a fascinating insight. By being present at the event, the holy atmosphere would permeate the children and affect them if not immediately but even in years to come!

The Talmud even states that the children are brought “to grant reward to those who bring them”, the parents will be rewarded in the form of spiritually developed children!

An amazing lesson about the power of environment and it’s effects on children.

When it comes to educating our children to be givers, an important part of this process is to bring them up in an environment filled with acts of kindness and love of others.

Bringing along children whether our own or others, as we perform acts of kindness (when appropriate) is an impactful and important part of raising the next generation of givers.

Maximise the impact! An act of kindness now, can also be an investment in the kindness of the future.

Shabbat Shalom!

(Torah idea adapted from Rabbi Frand on the Parsha)