Tazria-Metzorah 5772- English

Rabbi Daniela Szuster
B´nei Israel Congregation,
Costa Rica

Our Responsibility for our Young People’s Jewish Education

The first parashah of this week, Parashat Tazria, orders us that when a male child is born, “on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised” (Lev. 12:3).  The Talmud teaches us that this is one of the several obligations of the family towards its children:  “A father is obligated with respect to his son, to circumcise him, to redeem him if he is a firstborn, to teach him Torah, to take a wife for him and to teach him a craft. Some say: He is even obligated to teach him how to swim.”Rabbi Judah said: He who does not teach his son a craft… is as though he taught him to steal” (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Kiddushin 29A).  This Talmudic passage teaches us that parents should be involved in different aspects of their children’s lives.

“A father is obligated with respect to his son, to circumcise him…”: as our patriarch Abraham did with Issac, we must do as well; through the entering into the covenant, give our children an identity, a legacy of values and way of life.  “… to teach him Torah…”: according to the sources (Lechem Mishneh, Hilkhot, Talmud Torah 1:3), the parents themselves must teach their children, but if they do not know, they may hire an expert to do it in their place.  This passage tells us about the importance of our children receiving a Jewish education.  “…to take a wife for him…”: this refers to the parent’s concern for the continuity of tradition, forming a Jewish home.  “…to teach him a craft…”: so that they can be self-sufficient, independent and able to support themselves, having a role, a worthy job; training them to manage in the working life.  “…to teach him how to swim…”: in modern times, we would say that this is healthy and strengthens the body; however, the sages specifically referred to the event of children at sea and when in danger, being able to save their lives.

All these are not randomly chosen duties.  After their formal entry into the Hebrew people through the rituals linked to the beginning of life, we must educate them.  We should also worry about their own continuity, helping them form their own family.  Furthermore, we should guarantee their independence, training them to perform well in their jobs.  And as if all these were not enough, we should guide them on the most basic cares of their existence.

For me, nowadays, in our communities, we care and are responsible for most of these aspects.  We successfully achieve that our children are raised, have an identity and a profession; that they work, are independent, etc.  Nevertheless, I think there is an aspect that we usually abandon and which we should improve.  I’m referring to the Jewish education of our young people.  We are good at raising our children, but when they are grown and older, we trust their Jewish education to chance, as if all we taught them until their 12th or 13th year could be enough.  As is often said, becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah is the beginning of a new stage, not the end.

Traditionally, parents separated themselves from their responsibilities towards their children at this age, leaving them to be self-sufficient and independent.  They could already work, marry, serve as witnesses, etc.  It seems that we are quite strict with this custom, but only with what relates to the Jewish education of our youngsters.

In the recitation of the Birkat Hamazon, after a son’s circumcision, the following phrase is included:  “Ha-Rachaman bless the mother, the father and the child… may they have the privilege of seeing him grow up and raise him…”  The sages wonder, why is it that their growing up is mentioned first, and then their education?, shouldn’t it be the opposite?  Children’s education begins when they are still babies!  Rabbi Joshua Leib Diskin answers, saying that educating small children is usually quite easy.  On the other hand, parents and teachers find it more difficult when they have to educate youngsters, when these children have already grown up.  That is why we say, in the Seudah of the Brit Milah:  May it be Your will that parents can educate their sons on the ways of the Torah and tradition, not just while they are children, but also when they are grown.

It is a great challenge, but even so, it is our duty to educate them when they are youngsters as well.  Precisely in the stage of life in which they can think more profoundly, when they can be more questioning and develop their Jewish understanding, this is when we need their presence most within the community.  Even when our children have already become Bar or Bat Mitzvah, when they are teenagers, we are responsible for the Jewish education.  It is possible that they will not consider it a priority; however, just as we make them see the importance that some sport, learning a language or playing an instrument will have on their lives, all the more reason to make them acknowledge the importance of their continuing with the study, practice and strengthening of their Jewish identity.  Each one of the UJCL congregations reckons with some spaces where our young people are invited to participate and involve themselves, such as the UJCL machanot.  Therefore, let us not leave their Jewish education to chance, as we do not do in the years preceding their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.  Together, we can give our youngsters an important place in the congregation, so that they may feel as pleased there as we ourselves feel.

Shabbat Shalom!