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A Moment of Silence: Difference between revisions
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Following the Rebbe’s call, several questions arose regarding the initiative. The Rebbe addressed these during gatherings in the summers of 1983 and 1984: | Following the Rebbe’s call, several questions arose regarding the initiative. The Rebbe addressed these during gatherings in the summers of 1983 and 1984: | ||
1) Why a “moment of silence” and not a “moment of speech” about the Creator? | ====== 1) Why a “moment of silence” and not a “moment of speech” about the Creator? ====== | ||
answer: Speech could immediately lead to disputes about imposing beliefs on students of different religions. School administrators and teachers might struggle to refrain from exerting influence or mentioning specific beliefs. A moment of silence eliminates this issue entirely. It prevents arguments among students about faith and religion. | answer: Speech could immediately lead to disputes about imposing beliefs on students of different religions. School administrators and teachers might struggle to refrain from exerting influence or mentioning specific beliefs. A moment of silence eliminates this issue entirely. It prevents arguments among students about faith and religion. | ||
Since the moment of silence is for reflection based on explanations given by parents at home, parents are directly involved in guiding their children to use the moment to think about the Creator. This provides not only physical sustenance as the child heads to school but also spiritual nourishment. Thought is often more profound and personal than speech, especially since no one else can know what an individual is thinking except for the Creator, who examines the heart and mind. | Since the moment of silence is for reflection based on explanations given by parents at home, parents are directly involved in guiding their children to use the moment to think about the Creator. This provides not only physical sustenance as the child heads to school but also spiritual nourishment. Thought is often more profound and personal than speech, especially since no one else can know what an individual is thinking except for the Creator, who examines the heart and mind. | ||
2) The U.S. Constitution mandates separation of church and state. How can religious concepts be introduced into public schools? | ===== 2) The U.S. Constitution mandates separation of church and state. How can religious concepts be introduced into public schools? ===== | ||
answer: This question stems from a literal interpretation, ignoring the essence of the matter. The Founders of the United States fled countries that restricted religious freedom and established a nation where everyone could freely practice their faith. They included the separation of church and state to protect this freedom. Now, this principle, meant to safeguard religious freedom, is being misused to limit the rights of parents who want their children educated in faith. Schools do not dictate the content of the moment of silence; parents provide the guidance. Thus, this does not violate the Constitution. Even if the Constitution explicitly forbade mentioning God in schools, it should be amended for the greater good of the nation. Statistics clearly show higher crime rates among individuals raised without awareness of the Creator. | answer: This question stems from a literal interpretation, ignoring the essence of the matter. The Founders of the United States fled countries that restricted religious freedom and established a nation where everyone could freely practice their faith. They included the separation of church and state to protect this freedom. Now, this principle, meant to safeguard religious freedom, is being misused to limit the rights of parents who want their children educated in faith. Schools do not dictate the content of the moment of silence; parents provide the guidance. Thus, this does not violate the Constitution. Even if the Constitution explicitly forbade mentioning God in schools, it should be amended for the greater good of the nation. Statistics clearly show higher crime rates among individuals raised without awareness of the Creator. | ||
3) How can a child be exposed to thoughts about the Creator when their parents object, infringing on the principle of freedom? | ===== 3) How can a child be exposed to thoughts about the Creator when their parents object, infringing on the principle of freedom? ===== | ||
answer: The child is not forced to pray or follow a specific tradition. It is simply a moment of silence, and the school does not intervene in its content. Parents instruct their children on how to use this time. On the contrary, forbidding any mention of the Creator in schools deprives children of the opportunity to learn about Him. If they hear nothing about faith at school or home, they are denied access to this knowledge. | answer: The child is not forced to pray or follow a specific tradition. It is simply a moment of silence, and the school does not intervene in its content. Parents instruct their children on how to use this time. On the contrary, forbidding any mention of the Creator in schools deprives children of the opportunity to learn about Him. If they hear nothing about faith at school or home, they are denied access to this knowledge. | ||
Some argue that such practices are better suited to synagogues than schools. It is unacceptable that children spend their school years accumulating knowledge about trivial matters and, at best, are trained to become doctors or lawyers, yet are not taught how to be moral individuals. Teaching them that there is a “watchful eye and listening ear” is fundamental. | Some argue that such practices are better suited to synagogues than schools. It is unacceptable that children spend their school years accumulating knowledge about trivial matters and, at best, are trained to become doctors or lawyers, yet are not taught how to be moral individuals. Teaching them that there is a “watchful eye and listening ear” is fundamental. | ||
Specifically in school, in the place where we educate our youth, we must institute a Moment of Silence<ref>From the Sicha of Yud Tes Kislev 5745 (1984) - Based Only on the Notes of the Listeners</ref>. | |||