C. Scriptural sources:[1]
The mitzvah of chinuch can be derived from several verses in Scripture, as noted by Mefarshim and Poskim. These verses collectively establish that although a child is not yet personally obligated in mitzvot, there is a responsibility placed upon parents to teach, guide, and habituate their children from a young age.
- Chanoch Lanar: חֲנֹךְ לַנַּעַר עַל־פִּי דַרְכּוֹ גַּם כִּי־יַזְקִין לֹא־יָסוּר מִמֶּנָּה “Train a child according to his way; even when he grows old, he will not depart from it”: This most famous verse from Mishlei[2] teaches that education is meant to instill lasting patterns through early training.[3] Some Poskim[4] derive from this verse that the mitzvah of chinuch carries the status of Divrei Kabbalah—a binding obligation rooted in the words of Scripture as transmitted through the Prophets and Writings. According to this view, the Mitzvah of Chinuch is a Mitzvas Asei of Divrei Kabalah.
- Yitzaveh Es Banav: כִּי יְדַעְתִּיו לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר יְצַוֶּה אֶת־בָּנָיו וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ אַחֲרָיו וְשָׁמְרוּ דֶּרֶךְ ה׳ “For I have known him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of Hashem.” This verse from Bereishis[5] praises Avraham for commanding his children and household to follow the way of Hashem. Some Mefarshim[6] derive the Mitzvah of Chinuch from this verse.
- Torah study: וְלִמַּדְתֶּם אֹתָם אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶם לְדַבֵּר בָּם “You shall teach them to your children, to speak of them.” This commandment in Devarim is understood by some Poskim[7] not merely as teaching information, but as accustoming children to constant engagement with Torah.
- Hakhel:[8] הַקְהֵל אֶת־הָעָם… וּבְנֵיהֶם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדְעוּ יִשְׁמְעוּ וְלָמְדוּ “Assemble the people… and their children who do not yet know, so that they may hear and learn.” The mitzvah of Hakhel includes the bringing of children who have yet to reach a maturity of comprehension. Some Mefarshim[9] learn that the purpose of this Mitzvah is so even children who are not yet capable of full understanding be exposed to mitzvot and Torah experiences, as through hearing, this leads to questioning, which then leads to them being educated by their parents.
- Chukas Olam:[10] חֻקַּת עוֹלָם לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם “An eternal statute for your generations.” The Torah’s repeated emphasis on transmitting mitzvot across generations underscores that children must be taught and trained, for without deliberate education they could not come to know or live by the commandments. [11]
[1] See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 162
[2] Mishlei 22:6
[3] Chayeh Adam 66:1; Rashba Megillah 19b; Ritva Sukkah 2b; See Turei Even Chagiga 6a
[4] Chayeh Adam ibid
[5] Bereishis 18:19
[6] Meshech Chochma on Bereishis ibid
[7] Pirush Rabbeinu Meyuchas
[8] Devarim 31:13
[9] Ramban on Devarim ibid
[10] Vayikra 3:17
[11] Ramban Devarim 6:7
