The Mitzvah of Chinuch for Mitzvos and reprimanding for prohibition:[1]
A father is obligated in the rabbinic mitzvah of chinuch until his son reaches the age of thirteen and his daughter reaches the age of twelve, and they grow two pubic hairs, which is the age of bar or bas mitzvah. [It is for this reason that a father recites the blessing of Baruch Shepatrini after the child reaches the age of Bar Mitzvah.[2] It should be noted, however, that the lifting of the father’s obligation at age thirteen applies only to the rabbinic mitzvah of chinuch. However, once a child reaches bar mitzvah, the father—along with any other person—becomes obligated under the biblical mitzvah of tochachah to protest and reprimand the individual if he observes him transgressing, as this obligation applies from the moment a Jew becomes bound by mitzvot, as will be explained below in Halachah D.]
If no signs of puberty at this age:[3] If the child has reached this age but has not yet developed the physical signs of maturity—namely, the growth of two hairs—then the father’s obligation of chinuch continues until the age of twenty.
After age 20 – A Saris:[4] If, by age twenty, the child is determined to be a saris (i.e., a male or female with congenital hypogonadism who never reached sexual maturity and is infertile), the father is then exempt from the obligation of chinuch. This exemption applies only when both conditions are met: the child has reached age twenty and has developed signs of Saris. However, if by age twenty the child has not developed these signs and is hence not classified as a saris, the father remains obligated to educate him until the child reaches the majority of his years, [which is understood to be age thirty‑five years of age[5]]. From that point onward, the father is no longer obligated in the mitzvah of chinuch.
Until What Age Does a Father’s Obligation Continue?
| Area | Ending Age |
| Mitzvah Chinuch | Bar/Bas Mitzvah |
| Torah Study | No maximum age |
| Middos & Yiras Shamayim | Until 24 |
| Tochachah | Lifelong when applicable |
After Bar Mitzvah
| Before Bar Mitzvah | After Bar Mitzvah |
| Chinuch obligation | Tochachah obligation |
| Rabbinic | Biblical |
| Special parental obligation | General obligation upon all Jews |
| Child exempt from mitzvos | Child personally obligated |
[1] 1st Pirush in M”A 225:5; Beis Yosef and Bach on O.C. 167 and 297; P”M 343 A”A 1; Kaf Hachaim 343:18; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid footnote 105; See Nazir 29b and Rosh there; Levush 225; Shaareiy Efraim 4:26; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid footnote 13 in length; Piskeiy Teshuvos 343:1 footnote 14; Nitei Gavriel 12:7
[2] 1st Pirush in M”A 225:5; P”M 225 A”A 5; M”B 225:7; See Rama 225:2; Midrash Raba Toldos 63; Maharil Hilchos Kerias Hatorah, in name of Mordechai; See Ben Ish Chai Reih 1:17; Ketzos Hashulchan 65:6; Encyclopedia Talmudit footnote 108; Piskeiy Teshuvos 225:4-6; Siddur Raskin footnote 87; Nitei Gavriel Chapter 12; Omitted from Rambam, Tur, Michaber, see Mishneh Torah Kapach Mada p. 629 footnote 7 that for this reason Yemenite Jewry is not accustomed to say it
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that the reason behind why this blessing is said is because until this point the son would receive punishment due to the sins of the father. Hence, he recites a blessing that from now onwards the punishment for his sins will no longer be meted out to his son. [Levush ibid, brought as 2nd Pirush in M”A ibid]
[3] See P”M 343 A”A 1; P”M 37 A”A 4; Biur Halacha 37; Rashi Avos 5:21; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 169
[4] P”M 343 A”A 1; Kaf Hachaim 343:18
[5] P”M 343 A”A 1; Kaf Hachaim 343:18