ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Teacher of Righteousness

So imagine you're in grade school and you have a really amazing teacher. This is someone who knows everything about the subject they teach and they make learning fun and easy for you. They inspire you to be your best self and they teach you all sorts of important life lessons along the way. Now, imagine that this teacher is actually a person who lived a really long time ago, but their teachings are still remembered and followed today by lots of people. That person would be called a "teacher of righteousness."

In real life, there are lots of famous teachers of righteousness in different religions and belief systems. For example, in the Jewish tradition, a teacher of righteousness might refer to a person who was believed to be the leader of a group of spiritual seekers called the Essenes. This community followed strict religious laws and believed in living a very pure and righteous lifestyle. The teacher of righteousness was the person who taught them these laws and helped them understand their faith.

In other religions, there might be different people or figures who are considered to be teachers of righteousness. Sometimes these people are seen as prophets, messengers from the divine who bring guidance and wisdom to their followers. Other times, they might be historical figures who taught important lessons about love, compassion, and living a good life.

Overall, the idea of a teacher of righteousness is about finding someone who can guide you on your spiritual path, and who has a lot of wisdom and experience to share. In the same way that a great teacher can inspire you to be your best self in school, a teacher of righteousness can inspire you to be your best self in life, and help you connect with something greater than yourself.