Our Gemara discusses certain tribes who were noted by the verses for Torah teaching and halakhic acumen.  Issachar and Zevulun are labeled by cited verses for their ability in Torah teaching and halakha.  The Gemara also considers the Tribe of Judah based on a verse, and then rejects it.  

Apropos this passage in Deuteronomy, Rava said: You do not find a young Torah scholar who gives halakhic instruction unless he comes from the tribe of Levi or from the tribe of Issachar. The assertion with regard to the tribe of Levi is as it is written: “They shall teach Jacob Your ordinances and Israel Your law” (Deuteronomy 33:10). And the assertion with regard to the tribe of Issachar is as it is written: “And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel should do” (I Chronicles 12:33). The Gemara asks: And say that scholars come from the tribe of Judah also, as it is written: “Judah is my lawgiver” (Psalms 60:9). Rava answers: While it is true that the tribe of Judah also taught Torah, in my statement I was speaking only of those who can draw conclusions according to the halakha. Although Judah produces great scholars, men capable of translating abstract analysis of the Torah into legal principles come from the two tribes mentioned. 

The obvious question here is why is exclusionary about the verse by Judah?  How does being a lawgiver preclude halakhic teaching and acumen?  I would think to the contrary, is law giving and enforcement of the Torah not a part of halakha? 

What we see from here is a powerful lesson.  Teaching is not coercion.  True teaching of Torah can only come from learning.  We may need enforcement of law and halakha on a practical level but it is not true learning.

Today, it is hard to force kids to do anything.  While we might throw up our hands in despair, the truth is, it is an opportunity.  Our kids feel less of a need to fake it, and we cannot comfort ourselves with superficial compliance. Say what you want about this generation of young people, but they are capable of absorbing diverse and broad sources of information. They can buy into Torah observance, but you’re going to have to prove it to them through loving teaching and discovery.  We might nostalgically long for the old days, when children showed respect and complied, but in the end, if we couldn’t really help them learn deeply, all it did was make us feel powerful and in control.  Now, that the mask is off, we need to actually be role models and help them learn, not just be law givers.

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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