2. When:[1]

A. At what age is the child to be taken to Cheder:[2]

Talmudic times – Age 6-7: In previous times, the son would not be brought to Cheder until he was six-seven years of age. He would be homeschooled by his father until this age. From when he can talk he would be taught verses of Torah by heart until age four. [Immediately[3]] after turning three, he would be taught the letters of the Alphabet.[4] At age four he would be taught how to read and he would continue to practice reading the written Torah until age 6-7, when he would be brought to the Milameid.[5] In today’s time’s, however, this system has changed, and the custom is for a son to be brought to Cheder at a much earlier age, as explained next.

Previous Generations – Age 3-5: Starting several generations ago, the common practice became for the son to be taken to a Milameid and enter Cheder prior to age 6.[6] In Russia and France, the common practice amongst Chabad was for the child to enter Cheder starting from age 4 or 5.[7] In Poland the common practice was for the child to enter cheder starting from age 3.[8] This was also the general directive of the Chabad Rabbeim to enter the child into Cheder beginning from age three.[9] On one occasion, the Rebbe responded that a set age cannot be given as to when the child is to be entered into the Cheder being that this is dependent on the child’s maturity and general health.[10] On another occasion, the Rebbe responded that the matter is dependent on community custom, and each community is to follow his custom.[11] Whatever the case, it traditionally does not take place before age three.[12] Nonetheless, certainly if the child does not have a religious upbringing, then the earlier he enters Cheder the better, even prior to age three.[13]

Today’s times – Age 3: Practically, in today’s times, children are already sent to child care and kindergarten prior to age 3, and are already taught Torah related matters prior to age three. For all intents and purposes, this is considered as if the child has already entered Cheder on some level. Accordingly, it is customary to perform the Hachnasas Lacheder ceremony on the third birthday, or shortly after, as explained next, while the child is still in kindergarten even though he will only enter an official Talmud Torah at a later age.[14]

B. When in the third year:

Traditionally, the Hachanasa Lecheder would not necessarily take place exactly on the third birthday.[15] Some Rishonim[16] record that the Hachanasa Lecheder would traditionally take place on the holiday of Shavuos, being that it commemorates the giving of the Torah and is similar in context to the purpose of the ceremony which is to impart the Torah to the next generation. Practically, many are accustomed to try to arrange for the Hachanasa Lecheder to take place on the day of the birthday[17], however, if there is any difficulty in doing so then it may be pushed off for another date. Some schools are accustomed to have a grand annual Hachanasa Lecheder ceremony for all of the children of age, with some of the children having turned three many months earlier.

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[1] See Shevach Habris p. 138; Nitei Gavriel 19

[2] Rokeiach 296; Seder Chinuch Hayiladim of Rabbeinu Efraim Mibuna; Seder Chinuch Hayeladim Sefer Hasufos 282; Shevach Habris p. 138; Shulchan Menachem 5:34; Hearos Ubiurim Ohalei Torah 1019 p. 44; Hiskashrus 904 p. 13

[3] Rama Y.D. 245:8; Igros Kodesh 12:288

[4] Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:1; See Rama 245:8 “Immediately after reaching age three, he is to be taught the letters of the Torah”; See Igros Kodesh 12:288; 14:39, printed in Shulchan Menachem 5:33; Nitei Gavriel 19:1

[5] Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 1:1; Michaber 245:5

[6] See Michaber Y.D. 245:8 that the child would be brought to the Milameid after age 5, and not prior.

[7] Shevach Habris ibid in name of Rav Zalman Shimon Dworkin regarding Russia; Footnote 4 regarding France and that there exists several letters of blessing which the Rebbe sent to parents from France who would enter the children to Cheder at age 5. See Igros Kodesh 3:407; 6:120; 7:55 [regarding going to Cheder before age 5 and that this depends on a) maturity of child and b) age difference between other children in class]; See Shevach Habris Footnote 5 that the Rebbe instructed Rabbi Groner regarding his twin boys that he could do the Hachnasas Lecheder ceremony on the third birthday itself, although he should only enter them into the Talmud Torah at age 5; See Nitei Gavriel 19:1 footnote 3

[8] Shevach Habris ibid in name of Rav Zalman Shimon Dworkin

[9] Sichos Kodesh 5752 1 p. 343; Heichal Menachem 3:247; Sefer Hasichos 5700 p. 67 regarding the Tzemach Tzedek that his Hachnasas Lecheder was after Yom Kippur, after he turned three on Erev Rosh Hashanah; Likkutei Sichos 5:86 footnote 4 that the Rebbe Rashab began Cheder at age 3, although he only began fully going at age 3.5; Sefer Hamamrim 5711 p. 168 that the Rebbe Rayatz entered Cheder in the year 5644, after having turn three in the year 5543

[10] Heichal Menachem 3:247 that so responded the Rebbe to Rav Yurislavsky; See also Igros Kodesh 6:120; 7:55

[11] Yagdil Torah Yerushalayim 26:11

[12] Arugas Habosem 210; Afrasakta Deanya 161; Nitei Gavriel 19:1 footnote 2; Igros Kodesh 14:39 and Igros Kodesh 7:55, printed in Shulchan Menachem 5:34; See however footnote 4 for the other opinions; To note that the Tzemach Tzedek entered Cheder before age three. [Sefer Hasichos 5701 p. 65; Igros Kodesh 7:55 that this is not a directive to the public]

[13] Igros Kodesh 14:39, printed in Shulchan Menachem 5:34

[14] See Shevach Habris ibid footnote 5 that so directed the Rebbe to Rav Levi Goldstein; Footnote 5 that the Rebbe instructed Rabbi Groner regarding his twin boys that he could do the Hachnasas Lecheder ceremony on the third birthday itself, although he should only enter them into the Talmud Torah at age 5; See Nitei Gavriel 19:13-14 that he does not have to go daily to Cheder, and may do the ceremony on the 3^rd birthday in kindergarten and then eventually go to Cheder when he is mature enough; However, see Hiskashrus 874 p. 15 that the ceremony should only be done when the child enters the Talmud Torah on a set basis.

[15] See Sefer Hasichos 5700 p. 67 regarding the Tzemach Tzedek that his Hachnasas Lecheder was after Yom Kippur, after he turned three on Erev Rosh Hashanah; Likkutei Sichos 5:86 footnote 4 that the Rebbe Rashab began Cheder at age 3, although he only began fully going at age 3.5; Sefer Hamamrim 5711 p. 168 that the Rebbe Rayatz entered Cheder in the year 5644, after having turn three in the year 5543

[16] Shevach Habris p. 137 footnote 1

[17] See Shevach Habris ibid footnote 5 that the Rebbe instructed Rabbi Groner regarding his twin boys that he could do the Hachnasas Lecheder ceremony on the third birthday itself, although he should only enter them into the Talmud Torah at age 5; Nitei Gavriel 19:1-12 footnote 2 [see there for many details of if the 3^rd birthday falls on a date that Hachanasas Lecheder cant be done, and how it is to be done as soon as possible.]