One of the most essential responsibilities a parent possess today is to model and teach their children how to demonstrate and exhibit good middot and  character.

Today, we are living in a society that cries out loud for respectful behavior and attitudes on the part of our children.

This condition and reality have been devolving over the years to the extent that it has now created a societal and communal tsunami of crisis proportion, and one which our communities are challenged to correct or repair.

As we know, since time immemorial, communities have faced significant challenges relating to child-rearing norms and standards. To be sure, there are literally thousands of books, lectures, articles and platforms which focus on this topic, many of which purport to advise parents and guide educators about best practices in child rearing and character development.

So the obvious question we must ask ourselves is – if this reality is so evident, and our challenge is so prevalent, why is it that this societal and communal phenomenon is in fact getting worse.

Just last week, I read a communication from a Rabbinic leader to his congregation expressing tremendous pain, disappointment and exasperation regarding the lack of derech eretz on the part of his synagogue member’s children.

Unfortunately, I am certain that this is not an isolated case and that many of our institutions are currently facing similar crises. Nevertheless, this condition obviously deteriorated and reached a threshold to such an extent that the pain, embarrassment and disappointment warranted and demanded that the Rabbi........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)