By Rabbi Dovid Abenson

Over the last two months, I’ve shared insights, course structure, and educational values that shape the unique training program I offer. Now, it’s time to speak directly to those who are truly considering joining. If you’re not just curious, but serious about becoming a mechanech—if you see yourself as a future Rebbe, standing at the frontline of chinuch—then this message is for you.

Let me be blunt: this is not a crash course. This is not a “pick-up-a-certificate-and-go” kind of program. This is a six-month journey of transformation—of yourself first, and then of others.

Before You Even Enroll

There’s a non-negotiable prerequisite. Before even applying, you must read all four of my books. They’re readily available—many are in Jewish bookstores, all are on Amazon. This isn’t a formality or a sales pitch. It’s a test of your commitment. If you won’t take the time to understand the philosophy behind the course, you won’t grasp the system, and that leads to misalignment, wasted time, and yes—wasted money.

Start with I Can Learn. This is the cornerstone. It’s not just the foundation of my methodology; it’s the mirror I hold up to our current system of chinuch, revealing what’s missing and how to fix it. If this book doesn’t resonate with you, this course may not be for you.

Don’t Expect a Shortcut

Before I accept anyone into my course, I personally administer an oral entrance exam—based on my four books. Why? Because I’m not looking for people who just want a job. I’m looking for builders of Jewish souls.

Too many educational programs today are content to skim the surface. They teach how to stand in front of a class, how to deliver a lesson—but they fail to examine whether the educator has mastered the foundation skills of Torah learning-Is he lacking any deficiency in his textual skills. which is so crucial in teaching today In many cases, the credentials of the teacher haven’t even been properly assessed.

Let me be blunt: many Rebbeim received “training on the job,” without ever having been properly prepared. I’ve dealt with them. I’ve helped many of them. But that process begins only after we acknowledge what’s missing.

That’s why, before any participant begins the course, I first focus on upgrading their foundational learning skills. Only then do I introduce the full teaching methodology. That’s also why it’s critical to read my four books before joining—each one introduces essential components of a proven, results-based method. In my next article, I will explain what each book covers, and why they’re indispensable.

In some schools today, men are appointed as Rebbeim due to politics or convenience—not because they possess the necessary skill, passion, or clarity. I’ve had experienced Rebbeim admit to me, “Rabbi Abenson, it’s out of my hands.” And I’ve had to respond, honestly but firmly: “Then why are you still in this position?”

A Rebbe who doesn’t know what he’s teaching—or worse, doesn’t know why he’s teaching—is not a mechanech. He’s a placeholder. And Klal Yisroel deserves better

We Must Uproot the Rot

Let me share a real story.

A teacher was about to take a position at a Jewish school when the administrator told him, “If you see things like students openly eating treif in the dining room, you’ll need to keep your mouth closed.” He didn’t mean it literally—but the message was clear: if you see something wrong, say nothing.

That’s not chinuch. That’s not Yiddishkeit. That’s surrender.

Even allowing such a message to be conveyed is a failure of leadership. For a school to silence a teacher’s concern about violations of basic Torah standards is not only misguided—it’s dangerous. Any administrator who upholds such an approach has no place in chinuch.

We are seeing a quiet erosion of Torah values—a soft liberalization happening within the very institutions meant to protect them.

A true Rebbe doesn’t fold under pressure. He holds the line.

He teaches from a place of strength, clarity, and deep-rooted knowledge—not from convenience, not from compromise, and certainly not from complacency.

Are You Ready to Be That Rebbe?

I received a call recently from a man in his late 30s. “I want to become a Rebbe,” he said. So I asked the usual questions:

“Have you read my book I can learn?”
“Not all of it.”
“Have you taught before?”
“A little here and there.”
“What’s your goal?”
“To get a job.”

I paused. Then said, “You don’t become a Rebbe to get a job. You become a Rebbe because it’s your tafkid. Because your neshama is burning to teach Torah to the next generation.”

I told him to go back and start reading—The Complete Book, and the rest. He needed to see if this path truly aligned with who he is. This advice applies to everyone who reaches out.

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The link here is part of my effort to keep Rav Mattisyahu zt”l alive in our hearts and memories. Rebbe did so much for Klal Yisroel, and especially for the Jewish communities of Lakewood

For more information or to contact Rabbi Abenson:

Tel/WhatsApp: 848-367-1740
Email: [email protected]

For evaluations, personalized training, speaking engagements, or to sponsor my seforim, please reach out today.

Explore Rabbi Dovid Abenson’s books and discover insights to enhance your learning and understanding.

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