Sepi Nazarian
In Chevruta, answer each of these questions as clearly and completely as you can
List the six obligations that a parent has to the child according to this text.
The six obligations that a parent has to the child according to this text are that a father is obligated to circumcise his son, to redeem his son, to teach him Torah, to take a wife for him, to teach him craft, and to teach him to swim in water.
What is the meaning or significance of each of these obligations for the development of the Jewish child in other words, why did the Rabbis select each of these six obligations?
A fathers obligation to circumcise his son is significant fort the development of the Jewish child because it is the first act that the father does to bring him into the tradition of Judaism. Furthermore, a father redeeming his son is significant because it guides his son to a successful/meaningful life. Additionaly, a parent teaching his/her child Torah gives the child a purpose and tradintion in every day life. A parent to find a wife for his son is important because he then is set for the future and has the best of best girl that their parent chose. A parent teaching their child craft/trade helps the child to explore different topics and see what he/she likes to do. Lastly, a parent teaching their child to swim in water is significant because the child can literaly float in the water (not drown) , but symblocialy the child is ably to navigate him/herself in life now.
Which of these obligations emphasize the child's independence? Please explain.
The obligation that emphasizes the child's independence is teaching the child how to swim because now that the child can swim they are able to be indpendent in the water and not need their parents for help. This symblocially means that that the child can now navigate his/her own life and not need that much help from their parents.
Which of these obligations are no longer performed by a parent? Who performs them? Is this good?
Out of all of these obligation a parent no longer choses a wife for their son. The son himself choses who he loves and marries. In my perspective this is very good because a parent should not chose who their child should love and marry. A person should be able to pick who they love and spend their life with.
How would you update this list for today? What obligations would you add? What obligations would you keep from the gemara list? Which obligations would you remove from the Gemara list?
- The six obligations that a parent has to the child according to this text are that a father is obligated to circumcise his son (this should be kept)
- to teach him to swim in water (this should be kept)
- to teach him Torah (this should be kept)
- Provide your child the necessities to survive : water, food, clothes, and guideness etc (add to list)
- Be a role model that your child should admire and revere (add to list)
- to take a wife for him (should be removed from the list)
Look at the 6 obligations that the Gemara gives, and then your list of additions. Place each of the obligations in categories. Explain each of the categories that you develop. Be sure to include the principle or key meaning of each one.
CATAGORIE ONE: teaching your son
- teach him Torah
- teach him craft and trade
- teach him to swim in water
- being a superb and admirable parent
CATAGORIE TWO: providing
- circumcise his son
- to redeem his son
- find a wife for him
- provide you child the big neccities to survive : water, food, clothes, guideness etc