Give Them More Than a School — Give Them a Soul

In a world increasingly marked by confusion and moral decline, many Jewish parents are searching for something deeper, something that can anchor their children in truth, integrity, and spiritual purpose. The Torah’s vision of education is not just about knowledge. It’s about chinuch — a broader concept that also incorporates raising a child with clarity, values, and a connection to God. Sending your child to a Torah school isn’t just a “religious” choice. It’s one of the most powerful investments you can make in their future — and in your own eternal legacy.

Teaching Torah Changes Lives — Now and Forever

The Talmudic Sages teach that those who teach Torah in this world will merit to teach it in the World to Come, as it says, “He who gives water will himself be watered” (Mishlei-Proverbs 11:25). When someone learns Torah and passes it on to others, this is called Torat chesed—a Torah of kindness. The Talmud praises such a person as one whose reward is immeasurable and upon whom the merit of the public depends.

The Spiritual Power of a Jewish Mother

A woman who raises her children to learn Torah, and who encourages her husband to do the same, shares fully in their spiritual reward. The Talmud (Sotah 21a) teaches that they “divide the reward together.” In fact, the promises Hashem made to Jewish women exceed even those made to men (Berachot 17a), because of the immense sacrifice and partnership they offer in the spiritual development of their families.

Rabbi Chiya famously said that women earn this reward by bringing their children to synagogue and supporting their husbands’ Torah learning — even when that means letting them travel to study far from home. The Talmud adds that the wives of Torah scholars lose sleep in this world but are rewarded with eternal life in the next (Yoma 78a).

Teaching Your Child Torah Is a Mitzvah — and a Sacred Duty

It is a Torah obligation to teach your son Torah, as it says, “You shall teach them to your children to speak of them.” Not only that, but a person must teach his grandson as well, or at least ensure that he is properly taught — “You shall make them known to your children and your children’s children” (Devarim 4:9).

Our Sages explain that Torah students are called “children” and a Torah teacher is considered a spiritual parent. Teaching a Jewish child Torah earns a person immense spiritual reward, and the Talmud teaches that in certain cases, Hashem cancels harsh decrees on their behalf.

Start Early — and Start Right

The Torah tells us, “Teach and guide a child according to his way; even when he grows old, he will not depart from it” (Mishlei-Proverbs 22:6). This is why parents must begin educating their children in Torah from the moment they can speak.

Traditionally, the first verses we teach are “Torah tzivah lanu Moshe—Moshe commanded us the Torah” (Devarim 33:4) and the first line of the “Shema Yisrael” (Devarim 6:4).

Gradually, we teach children more pesukim (verses), as well as brachot (blessings) over food and after using the restroom. By age six, a child should begin formal Torah learning.

A Community Must Provide Torah Education

It is a communal obligation to ensure that every city and town where Jews live has teachers of Torah for young children. The Talmud states that the world exists only in the merit of the pure breath of children learning Torah — breath untainted by sin.

Not even the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash takes precedence over Torah learning by young children — this is how important it is.

The Child’s Torah Is the Parent’s Eternal Legacy

Fortunate is the one who raises his children to live a life of Torah and yirat Shamayim (awe of Hashem) and who does everything possible to give the a full Jewish education. Every mitzvah the child performs in his lifetime, as well as the mitzvot of their children and grandchildren, is credited to that parent. As the Talmud says, “A child brings merit to his father.”