Equality for all Students

Regarding the lighting of the Menorah, the Torah says, יערוך אותו אהרון, that Aharon, or the Kohein Gadol, would set up the candles.

In somewhat miraculous fashion, the same amount of oil was used for the Menorah all year around. This means that it did not make a difference if it was the short nights of summer or the long nights of winter. The same amount of oil was placed in the Menorah, every day of the year.

Rabbi Twerski takes this idea into the world of Chinuch, Jewish education. He writes that it is of vital importance for the Rebbe to show equality to all students. He must avoid focusing his lessons only on the bright students, and find a way to involve and motivate all of his students.

This idea is backed up by real life experiences. Rabbi Twerski had to deal with drug addicts who were former Yeshiva students. They claimed that classes were boring because the teacher only paid attention to the smart kids.

They felt frustrated and unloved, and looked for other ways to feel good or numb their pain. The equal amounts of oil was to teach this lesson of equality in education. The potential danger in not recognizing this, can have long term harmful effects.