Joodse traditie als permanent leren

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his deficiencies, to acquire knowledge for himself, as it is said, "That ye may learn them and observe to do them" (Deut. 5:1). And so too, you will find that study in all cases takes precedence of practice, since study leads to practice, but practice does not lead to study.

1.4 If a man needs to learn Torah and has a son who needs instruction, his own requirements are to be satisfied first. But if his son has better capacity and greater ability to grasp what he learns, then the son's education takes precedence. Still, even in this case, the father must not wholly neglect the study of the Torah. For, just as

it is incumbent on him to have his son taught, so is he under an obligation to obtain instruction for himself.

1.5 A man should always first study Torah and then marry; for if he takes a wife first, his mind will not be free for study. But if his physical desires are so overpowering as to preoccupy his mind, he should marry and then study Torah.

1.6 When should a father commence his son's instruction in Torah? As soon as the child begins to talk, the father should teach him the text "Moses commanded us a law" (Deut. 33:4), and the first verse of the Shema ("Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one") (Deut. 6:4). Later on, according to the child's capacity, the father should teach him a few verses at a time, till he attains the age of six or seven years, when he should take him to a teacher of young children.

1.7 If it is the custom of the country for a teacher of children to receive remuneration, the father is to pay the fee, and it is his duty to have his son taught, even if he has to pay for the instruction, till the child has gone through the whole of the Written Law. Where it is the custom to charge a fee for teaching the Written Law, it is per-missable to take payment for such instruction. It is forbidden however to teach the Oral Law for payment, for it is said "Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as the Lord, my God, commanded me" (Deut. 4:5). This means: "Even as I (Moses) learnt (from God) without payment, so have ye learnt from me, gratuitously.