Four Watchmen

The Torah describes four different kinds of שומרים, or watchmen. There are those who agree to guard something for free, known as שומר חינם. There are other watchmen who are paid for their services, known as שומר שכר. The other two watchmen are known as a שוכר, a renter, and a שואל, a borrower.

Each of these individuals has varying degrees of liability if the item under their care is lost or stolen.

The Alshich sees a great deal of symbolism connected with these laws. His first point is that every possession that we have really belongs to G-d. These possessions are entrusted to us, with the hope that they will be used in the right way. If we are given money, it should be used to help the needy or for other Mitzvot.

An even more important entrusting, given to us by Hashem, are our children and students. These are very precious, given to us for our care.

It is the duty of every parent and teacher to instill the proper values in their children and students. They need to be given the proper guidance in learning how to cope in a very complex world.

They should be given our top priority in fulfilling our obligation to teach all that is good and proper. We influence our children and students with the genuine love that we give them. They can sense our sincerity and respond accordingly.

The best way to care for our most prized possessions is to lead by example. Our children and students watch us very closely. Even when they might seem apathetic, they will remember what they saw, and it becomes engraved in their hearts.

Life is all about priorities. We have an obligation to be faithful guards of all that Hashem has entrusted us. But most importantly, we should be faithful watchmen to our children and students.