תלמוד בבלי שבת קיט.ב
אָמַר רַב הַמְנוּנָא: לֹא חָרְבָה יְרוּשָׁלַיִם אֶלָא בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁבִּיטְלוּ בָּהּ תִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית רַבָּן
Rav Hamnunah said: Jerusalem was only destroyed because school children were neglected in her [translation by Jonah Steinberg]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What does this text say about the relationship between social responsibility and exile?
2. Why do you think the Talmud makes such a strong statement about education? Why do they see education as so important for the fabric of society?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)