The first pasuk in Parshat Vayikra says
וַיִּקְרָ֖א אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר ה’ אֵלָ֔יו מֵאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד לֵאמֹֽר׃
Hashem called to Moshe and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying:
Rashi teaches us that throughout the Torah, prior to speaking with Moshe, Hashem begins by calling to him, “וַיִּקְרָ֖א.” Rashi calls this לְשׁוֹן חִבָּה, language of affection. By calling out his name, Hashem is not only drawing Moshe’s attention to the message He is imparting regarding the laws of karbanot, but is also nurturing the relationship between them.
This concept holds a profound lesson for us. It teaches the significance of connecting on a personal level before giving someone direction or instruction. Just as Hashem calls Moshe to prepare him for the forthcoming message, so too we must create connection and an understanding of others before imparting knowledge or providing guidance to them. It is imperative to first build relationships on respect, trust, and care, so that our messages will more readily be received.
At Ohr Chadash Academy, this idea is central to our approach. We understand that effective teaching and guidance begin with building meaningful relationships. When we engage with our students, we not only aim to impart knowledge, but also aim to connect with them on a deeper level, understanding their questions, needs, and experiences. The establishment of these interpersonal relationships will lead to increased engagement, feelings of safety when taking academic risks, and ultimately promote future academic and social-emotional success.