3. Which Mitzvos and Aveiros must the child be educated in? Positive, Negative, Rabbinical?

3. Which Mitzvos and Aveiros must the child be educated in?[1]

  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 law that are obligatory upon an adult carry an obligation of chinuch for a child, as will be explained throughout the coming chapters by each and every Mitzvah.]

 

  1. Reprimanding the child

A father is obligated to reprimand and stop his child who has reached the age of education from transgressing a negative command. [Nevertheless, not all prohibitions applicable to an adult carry an obligation of chinuch to reprimand a child, as will be explained throughout the coming chapters by relevant prohibitions.]

  1. Rabbinical Commands and prohibitions:[3]

A father is obligated in educating his child who has reached the age of Chinuch in both Biblical and Rabbinical commands. Likewise, the father must reprimand and stop his child from transgressing both Biblical and Rabbinical prohibitions.

[1] Admur 343:2 “he is obligated by rabbinic decree to educate his son or daughter even in positive commandments once they reach the age of education—how much more so is he obligated by rabbinic law to rebuke them and prevent them from transgressing a negative commands even if it is a Rabbinical prohibition.”

[2] Admur says “even positive commands”

[3] Admur ibid and 362:17; Taz 343:1; M”A 343:2; Beis Yosef 343; Olas Shabbos 343; Elya Raba 343:2; Tosefes Shabbps 343:2; Kaf Hachaim 343:10; M”B 343:3

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that there is no obligation for a father to reprimand a child who is below Bar and Bas Mitzvah who is performing a mere Rabbinical prohibition. [Implication of Rama 343:1 who writes that he is only obligated to refrain the child from transgressing a Biblical prohibition; Shach in Yoreh Deah 81:26 learns that by Rabbinical commands there is no need to reprimand the child, as is the simple reading of the Rama.]

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