Jewish Education
The campaign for Torah education seeks to involve any and every Jewish child in an educational programme that will teach him or her what it means to live as a Jew. Education is not only for children. Adults are encouraged to enroll in study groups and seminars commensurate with their background and knowledge.
Torah study: Encouraging Jews to study Torah regularly
Torah study, or limmud Torah, is an important aspect of Jewish life and is seen as a way to fulfill the biblical commandment to "teach [the words of the Torah] to your children" (Deuteronomy 6:7) and to deepen one's connection to God and the Jewish tradition.
The Torah, which consists of the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), is the central text of the Jewish faith and is considered to be the divine word of God. It contains the laws, teachings, and history of the Jewish people and is seen as a source of guidance and inspiration.
Torah study can take many forms, including reading the Torah in Hebrew, studying commentaries and interpretations of the text, and participating in classes or study groups. It is traditionally seen as a way to gain understanding and knowledge of the Torah and to connect to God and the Jewish tradition.
In the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, encouraged Jews to study Torah regularly as a way to fulfill the biblical commandment and to deepen their connection to God and the Jewish tradition. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of Torah study and encouraged Jews of all backgrounds and levels of observance to make it a regular part of their lives.
Overall, Torah study is an important aspect of Jewish life and is seen as a way to fulfill the biblical commandment to "teach [the words of the Torah] to your children" and to deepen one's connection to God and the Jewish tradition. It can take many forms, including reading the Torah in Hebrew, studying commentaries and interpretations of the text, and participating in classes or study groups.
There’s no point in lifting something up if it’s going to plop back down later. If you want this to continue, you’re going to have to get your kids into it, too—as young as possible. Like in the crib. Hey, why wait until then? How about while still an embryo?
Here are some ways to get your child a first-class Jewish education:
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Even before a child is born, start singing Torah songs and reading Torah books out loud to the fetus. There’s an old Jewish tradition that it helps.
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Once a child is born, fill the cradle with Jewish images and playthings.
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Find a Jewish day care or preschool where your child will hear all the Jewish stories and celebrate Jewish holidays.
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Register your child in a Jewish day school. There are always scholarships available.
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Get involved in your child’s education. Talk it over daily with your spouse.
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Sign your kids up in Tzivos Hashem. It’s fun and there’s lots of prizes. Click here to do that.
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Get into Jewish learning yourself. When the kids see your enthusiasm, it will rub off on them.
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Talk about what you’re learning at the dinner table. Let the kids talk, too.
When both parents have 6+ years of Jewish education…
…children are raised as Jews in 100% of cases.
When both their parents have 1–5 years of Jewish education…
…children are raised as Jews in 88% of cases.
When one of their parents have no Jewish education…
…children are raised as Jews in 54% of cases.
When both parents have no Jewish education…
…children are raised as Jews in 16% of cases.1
Childhood is more than a stepping-stone to adulthood. The child is now. For just as the adult gives the child the knowledge and wisdom of life, so the child can give the adult the keys to living it. The enthusiasm and relentless curiosity; the conviction that knowledge must be real; the naivety to apply whatever is learned to the real world—all these and more, the adult learns from the child.