Some of the world’s most dangerous physical jobs include commercial fishing, logging, and mining. In the spiritual world, the role of mashpia or mashgiah carries its own unique set of dangers. The role of these individuals is to provide guidance and advice. And the danger is that incorrect advice on their part will have devastating consequences that last for generations.

This need for caution was emphasized over 2,000 years ago by the great sage Avtalyon in Avot 1:11, who warned, “Sages, be careful with your words, lest you incur the penalty of exile and be carried off to a place of evil waters, and the disciples who follow you drink and die, and thus the Name of Heaven becomes profaned”.

Drawing from this wisdom, giving advice as a sage can be likened to giving directions and setting a person on a life trajectory. If the trajectory is correct, the person reaches their desired location. If the trajectory is incorrect, the final position will be incorrect, often with implications that can affect people’s lives.

This responsibility was clearly evident in the life of Rabbi Moshe Chalkowski, who passed away in March and served as the mashgiach at the Neve Yerushalayim seminary for women for over 50 years. Neve is a well-known institution, and in his role, he had a direct impact on students’ trajectories for generations.

He was a man who took Avtalyon’s advice quite seriously.........

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