Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

The Prohibition of Instructing a Minor to Transgress: Scope, Severity, and Halachic Basis Question I am seeking clarity regarding the parameters and severity of the prohibition against telling a child to perform an act that is prohibited for an adult—such as on Shabbos or with respect to any other prohibition […]

Telling a child to transgress a prohibition:[1] It is [Biblically[2]] forbidden for any person to tell any child to eat non-Kosher food [or transgress Shabbos[3] or any other prohibition[4]], even if the child is completely below the age of understanding, [such as a mere one-day old infant]. It is forbidden […]

Assisting a child in transgressing a prohibition:[1] Throughout this chapter, we have emphasized that the mitzvah of chinuch—educating a child to observe Torah and mitzvot and reprimanding a child who transgresses a prohibition—is, in general, a Rabbinic obligation. The sole Biblical obligation of education rests upon a father to teach […]

Who is obligated to educate the child – Father, Mother, School, Teacher, Legal Guardian:[1] Father – The obligation of a father to educate and reprimand his children:[2] The obligation to educate a child in Torah and mitzvah’s is specifically upon the father of the child. He is obligated to educate […]

A public transgression that may lead others to sin:[1] If a child’s transgression is likely to become public knowledge and there is concern that it may lead others to believe such conduct is permissible due to the absence of protest, the Beis Din[2] [and others[3]]  are required to formally object […]

A child who is transgressing for the sake of another Jew:[1] If a child is committing a transgression for the benefit of any other Jew[2] who is already Bar Mitzvah[3]—for example, extinguishing a fire in that Jew’s home when there is no danger to human life—then every Jew[4] is [Rabbinically] […]

Bystanders – Must a person other than a child’s father stop a child from sinning?[1] A bystander who is neither the father [nor legal guardian] observing a child under the age of Bar or Bas Mitzva violating a prohibition is not obligated to intervene or issue a reprimand, provided the […]

Beis Din – Rabbinical Leaders of city:[1] Even if a Beis Din sees a child under the age of Bar or Bas Mitzva[2] transgressing a prohibition they do not need to reprimand or stop[3] the child from doing so, if the child is doing so for his own benefit, such […]

Legal Guardians – Melameid, Grandparents, Dorm, Foster home, Boarding house:[1] All individuals and institutions who act in the capacity of a legal guardian or educator of a child, bear responsibility for the child’s religious and moral education. They are obligated to guide, instruct, and ensure that the child is raised […]

Is a mother obligated to educate or reprimand her children?[1] A mother is not obligated at all to educate her child, whether her son or daughter, in neither positive or negative commands. [Some Poskim[2] rule that this applies even if the father of the child is not able to educate […]

Father – The obligation of a father to educate and reprimand his children:[1] The obligation to educate a child in Torah and mitzvah’s is specifically upon the father of the child. He is obligated to educate both his son and daughter in the negative and positive commands, and is likewise […]

3. Which Mitzvos and Aveiros must the child be educated in?[1] Positive versus Negative Commands: A father is obligated to educate his son and daughter in both negative and positive[2] commands, beginning from when the child reaches the age of education. [Nevertheless, not all Mitzvos, prohibitions, and matters of Jewish […]

Educating a child with developmental challenges:[1] Feeding him an Issur:[2] Although a person who is halachically classified as shoteh (legally incompetent due to mental incapacity) is exempt from the obligations of Torah and mitzvot, nevertheless it remains prohibited for others to actively cause such a person to transgress a Torah […]

Educating Household members: Not only is a father obligated to educate his biological children in the fulfillment of mitzvah’s, but furthermore, it is implied from the Poskim[1] that he is also obligated to educate all of the members of his household in the fulfillment of mitzvah’s even if they are […]