Recently, while studying the Daf Yomi – a page a day of Talmud learning – the Gemarah/Talmud cites various verses from which they derive the concept that, “One who raises an orphan in their home, is as if they gave birth to them.”
The great commentator Maharsha explains that the child does not have to specifically be an orphan; rather, it includes anyone in need.
Rebbe Elazar quotes a verse from King David’s Psalms, “G-d, You redeemed Your nation, the children of Yaacov and Yosef, from the land of Egypt.”
The Talmud asks, “Was it Yosef who bore the Tribes of Israel? Wasn’t it Yaacov who bore them? Rebbe Elazar explains, Yes, of course it was Yaacov who fathered the Tribes of Israel, but since Yosef, the viceroy of Egypt, fed and supported his brothers when they were living in Egypt, the Tribes are therefore considered Yosef’s children.
The Talmud continues in the name of Rebbe Yochanan, “When one teaches the son of his fellow, Torah, the verse considers it as if he bore the student.” The proof is from the following verses in the Torah. “These are the children of Moshe and Aaron.” The Torah then immediately lists the four children of Aaron, and does not list the children of Moshe. Rebbe Yochanan explains that this teaches us that, yes, Aaron in fact bore them, but since Moshe taught Aaron’s children Torah, it is as if Moshe bore them as well.
We may ask, why does raising an orphan or teaching another’s child Torah be considered as if he bore them?
Parents and teachers are the primary influence in one’s life. Parents bring children into the world, nourish them, raise them, educate them and prepare them for life. From a spiritual point, a Rebbe/teacher guides, instructs and inspires his students to follow and appreciate the beautiful ways of the Torah.
The same way a child is an extension of his parents, so too, he is an extension of his teacher as well. This relationship is reflective as well; a child and student mirror their parents and teachers.
When someone steps up and raises or supports someone who has no other means of sustaining themselves, G-d considers it as if he bore the child, thus the deeds that the child accrues over their lifetime are linked to the one who raised them – for it is as if they bore them.
When a Rebbe/teacher teaches a student Torah, the spiritual injection and influence that he imparts in the student creates a virtual bond between the Rebbe and the student so that what the student gains is forever linked to the Rebbe, and it is therefore considered as if he bore the student.
In a world that is advancing in AI, one may be under the impression that all can be solved, calculated or figured out. But, AI cannot provide nourishment, caring and love for raising a child, and AI cannot teach Torah, you need human intelligence to look it over and see if it is proper, clear and true.
Another area that is beyond our comprehension no matter how advanced technology will take us, is how G-d calculates, retains and computes the impact of our deeds. He calculates how they were done, the intent with which they were done and the impact they had on others, which may have impacted future generations.
The Talmud is teaching us that when one raises an orphan or teaches Torah to a student there is a major bond that is created and spiritual dividends are computed as if the caretaker and Rebbe bore the child and the compensation is on a scale of a parent/child level.
Other examples: When one introduces a couple and they get married and raise a family – the imprint of the one who introduced them has a lasting effect.
When one employs someone who was looking for work, how is it possible to calculate the positive impact this has on the family dynamic of the employee?
There are situations when there is a challenging family or relationship dynamic. One’s decision to overlook and swallow his pride or hurt feelings for the sake of Shalom can have a positive effect and help out indefinitely.
Let us probe the case of Yosef. His brothers thought they were 100 percent correct when they sold him. Twenty-two years later, to their disbelief they realized they were wrong. Yosef could have had an issue with them by holding a grudge and retaliating against them after their father Yaacov passed away. In fact, the brothers were concerned about this and the Torah relates that they met with Yosef and sincerely apologized and even offered themselves as slaves to him – as compensation for selling Yosef as a slave. An emotional Yosef responded to their plea and said there is nothing to worry about at all – I cannot play G-d – while you intended to harm me, G-d intended it for the good. Yosef spoke to them softly and put to rest any fear they had, and guaranteed that he would sustain them and their offspring.
Yosef excelled in the area of self-control. Whether it was when he refrained from the allures of his master’s wife or when he withheld feelings of revenge towards his brothers.
Because of Yosef’s great character he is classified as a Tzadik / righteous person and he is also credited with keeping the family of Israel complete!
What a great inspiration and goal for us, for we are all considered Yosef’s descendants!
