We were often challenged by educators; how can we strengthen the foundations of tzedek and yosher in our talmidim? Living in a world where our children are increasingly exposed to messages that are incongruent with Yiddishkeit, the role our mechanchim play in transmitting Torah values is extremely vital. Early teens is an age when our children’s internal moral compass is developing an independent outlook and an opportunity to introduce these topics.Our 8th-grade Yesodos curriculum offers 3 powerful units about the halachic and hashkafic foundations of honesty and integrity.
Identify the inner tools to be truthful and honest even at the cost of “losing” and explain why that is an important Torah teaching.
Describe common challenges to being honest and demonstrate how to overcome justification, excuses, and peer pressure.
Be aware of how to be honest according to Torah, even in small matters that may seem insignificant.