Learning Torah with Children

Teaching Torah to children on an individual basis is a mitzvah from the Torah that falls upon the father, as stated in the Shema passages: "And you shall teach them to your sons."

This system continued until the time of the Tannaim, when Rabbi Yehoshua ben Gamla instituted that teachers of young children should be established in every city, as we learned in the Mishnah in Baba Batra: "Remember that man for good, and Yehoshua ben Gamla is his name, for if not for him, Torah would have been forgotten from Israel; for initially, one who had a father - his father would teach him Torah, one who did not have a father - would not learn Torah... until Yehoshua ben Gamla came and instituted that teachers of young children should be established in every province and in every city, and they would bring in children at the age of six or seven."

The halacha rules: "Teachers of young children are appointed in every city. And any city that does not have teachers for children, we place the people of the city under a ban until they appoint teachers. And if they do not appoint, we destroy the city, because the world exists only through the breath of children learning in their teacher's house."

Throughout the years of exile, Torah studies with children were conducted in various formats. In some countries, it was customary to appoint a private teacher to study with the children, and the learning would take place in the teacher's private home. In other countries, there was an organized learning system housed in buildings designated by the community specifically for this purpose.

The main focus in Talmud Torahs was Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Prophets and Writings, learning of Mishnayot, and when the children were capable - they began to learn Gemara with them.

On Pure Holiness

With the opening of the modern era and the development of the Haskalah movement, special difficulties arose in continuing the existence of Talmud Torahs in their existing framework. Many countries pressured their subjects to add secular studies as mandatory in the Talmud Torah educational system, and there were many places where learning in Talmud Torahs was completely forbidden, and children were required to attend government schools.

During difficult periods in Russia, under Soviet rule, Chabad Chassidim risked their lives not to send their children to learn in the 'Shkole' (Russian government school), and opened a holy war, involving life-threatening danger at every step. During these years, underground learning activities were conducted, managed secretly by Chassidim to hide from the watchful eyes of the Bolsheviks.

Even in the lands of freedom, when the Rebbe Rayatz arrived in America, he continued to fight against the introduction of secular studies as part of the curriculum in Talmud Torahs, under the slogan "America iz nit anders" (= America is not different) - demanding firmly from his chassidim who were under his authority to establish educational institutions of pure holiness.

The main argument of the opponents was that secular studies should be introduced because it was a condition for receiving government funding, but the Rebbe Rayatz firmly claimed that such calculations and considerations should not be made when dealing with the soul of the Jewish people - educating future generations.

After the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, the Rebbe continued the campaign to establish institutions of pure holiness, and the Rebbe said on one occasion:

"The first three years, in which a child begins to learn, are the main foundation for his future success. And specifically during this time, they take the child and contaminate his mind with English, grammar, and the like! I wish that even adults didn't know these matters! And especially children - until nine years, until twelve years - and I would say even for the following years... The desire of the Holy One, blessed be He, is to dwell specifically in the mind of a Jewish child - they take this mind and contaminate it with external wisdoms!... Where is the Jewish pride?!"

Torah Studies - At the Beginning of the Day

In other places, the Rebbe instructed that even in places where secular studies are also necessary, Torah studies should be scheduled for the morning hours, when children are more refreshed, and therefore these are the more excellent and successful hours for learning:

"Even in schools where only a few hours a day are devoted to Torah studies and not the entire day, it is obligatory to strive that the time dedicated to Torah studies be specifically at the beginning of the day, close to the time of waking - when the child is fresh and calm, he will be able to learn Torah with a much higher quality than at the end of the day after he has tired. Unlike the mistaken view that the main thing is to fill the 'quota' of Torah study hours and it doesn't matter whether at the beginning of the day, in the middle, or at the end."

Following the Rebbe's campaign, several educational institutions of pure holiness were opened where children do not learn secular subjects at all. These institutions received special support and encouragement from the Rebbe.

In the Holy Land, an annual 'Educators Conference' is held by the organization "Tzeirei Agudas Chabad," where teachers from Talmud Torahs throughout the country gather to discuss current issues and hear professional lectures from educators and special speakers.

Chabad Torah Schools

Throughout the years, the administrators of Chabad Torah schools have received many instructions from the Rebbe, both regarding curriculum plans and regarding various dilemmas related to financial difficulties, dealing with teachers and students who deviate from accepted norms, collecting tuition payments, and more.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Chabad Torah schools is the integration of students from all sectors within the Torah schools, even though in certain cases this may weaken the academic level in the classroom, and even expose Chabad students to concepts foreign to the world of Chassidus, due to direct interaction with children from non-Chabad homes.

The Rebbe insisted that school administrators accept all students, even those coming from homes that don't observe Torah and mitzvos[6], and he even tried to influence other Chassidic groups to do the same.

Education in Chabad Institutions Specifically

The Rebbe demanded that Chabad Chassidim dedicate themselves to work in Chabad institutions specifically, even when the work there is not sufficiently organized or when there are financial problems in the institution causing delays in salaries and the like.

The Rebbe also demanded that Chabad Chassidim send their children to be educated specifically in institutions belonging to our Rebbeim, and to prefer them in every situation over other institutions[7].

Chabad Torah Schools in the Holy Land

The Chabad Torah schools currently operating throughout the country function according to the holy instructions of the Rebbe on educational matters, and educate students in the way of Chassidus, with strong hiskashrus (connection) to the Rebbe Shlita. In most institutions, Chabad kindergartens also operate in proximity to the Torah schools, under the management of the "Reshet Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak" (Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak Network)

In addition to the Torah schools, dozens of additional educational institutions operate throughout the country under the "Ohel Yosef Yitzchak" educational network, intended for the general public.

Upon completion of the course of study in the Torah schools, students continue their studies in Chabad yeshivas scattered throughout the country.

See Also

• Reshet Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak
• Entrance to Cheder

For Further Reading

• "HaKriah V'HaKedusha" booklet 23, Menachem Av 5702/1942 p. 10.