Q&A on Secular studies

Is teaching secular studies to one’s child required as part of the obligation of teaching a trade? Must a father send his son to college?

No. The father can decide to teach the child any trade that he can support himself with. Although many trades require prior secular education, the father is not obligated to teach his son specifically these types of trades.[1] Nevertheless, some aspects of secular education are certainly an obligation for the father to teach his child, as otherwise the child cannot enter into the work force. This would include teaching him the language of the country and perhaps mathematics and other secular subjects the child may need to survive in the workplace, or in a profession.[2] Being that learning these subjects is a Mitzvah, as it prepares the child for getting a job in the future, it is even permitted to learn these subjects in a Shul and Talmud Torah that is designated for Torah learning.

College: Many colleges teach matters of heresy and promote an environment that is contrary to Torah and Mitzvos, and hence it is forbidden to send one’s child there.[3] Nevertheless, it is certainly Mitzvah for the father to send his child to learn some kind of profession at a Kosher institution.[4] There is however no obligation to teach the child a sophisticated trade that takes many years to learn in [even a Kosher] college and university, and on the contrary, doing so is discouraged as it removes the person from his main job of learning Torah. It is possible learn a quick and easy trade and support oneself with it.[5]

Should Yeshiva’s and/or Talmud Torah’s teach secular education?

Ideally, Yeshiva’s and Talmud Torah’s are not to teach any secular studies as they are to be focused on the sole teaching of Torah, as the fathers obligation of teaching his son a trade can be fulfilled in later years or during other times.[6] The Chabad Chassidim in Russia as led by the Rebbe Rayatz, as well as other sects of Jewry, were Moser Nefesh to prevent secular education from infiltrating the Yeshiva’s. Nevertheless, in today’s generation, teaching secular studies in the Talmud Torah or Yeshiva is vital for the institute’s survival, as otherwise parents will not send their children there, or the government will shut down the institution due to the compulsory education act. It is thus better to have them learn in a Torah environment that contains secular studies, than to have them learn in public school.[7] These secular studies are to be taught towards the end of the day and only for the most minimum amount required.[8] However, once the child has reached an age where compulsory secular education is not required, one is not to teach any secular subjects in the institutions.[9]

Teaching English, reading and writing:[10] It is permitted to teach in a Talmud Torah or Shul the countries language, and to read and write, being that learning these subjects is a Mitzvah, as without it a child cannot get a job in the future. Some Poskim[11] however rule that if available, a special room is to be designated for learning these subjects and it is not to be taught in the same room that the children are taught Torah.

Trade school:[12] If there are students who are unable to learn in a regular Yeshiva environment, one may establish a Yeshiva that involves teaching the students a trade, and secular studies associated with that trade. However one is not to teach other secular studies in the Yeshiva, more than is necessary according to law, or to learn the trade.

Teaching a trade in a regular Yeshiva:[13] One is not to teach a trade in a regular Yeshiva that is made for students who learn Torah throughout the day, in accordance to the schedule established by the Rebbe Rashab, and rather a separate institution is to be established for students who have such a need.

Who should teach the secular subjects?[14]

The secular subjects taught to students are to be taught by G-d fearing individuals, and is to be supervised by Torah scholars.

The Rebbe’s perspective on secular education:

As stated above, the Rebbe viewed that secular education is only to be taught in schools if it is compulsory by the government, and only to the most minimal level, and at the end of the day. The vast majority of the studies are to be Torah related. The Rebbe did promote opening a Yeshiva trade school for students who are unable to sit in a Yeshiva environment.

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[1] See Igros Moshe Y.D. 4/36

[2] Zera Emes Y.D. 107 p. 119a “Now that we are in exile, we must teach our children how to read and write the language of the country at a young age as otherwise they will be unable to get a job”; Shaareiy Rachamim 2 Y.D. 23 and Hod Yosef 1; Nachals Yisrael Sheiris Hanachala p. 10; Sefer Haitim p. 175 in name of Rav Haiy Gaon regarding teaching Arabic and math; Yabia Omer 7/21

[3] Mishneh Halachos 16/96

[4] Mishneh Halachos ibid

[5] Igros Moshe Y.D. 4/36 that it is possible learn a quick and easy trade and support oneself with it, and those who want to learn professions that take lots of preparation and study, such as a doctor or lawyer rather than learn in Yeshiva, are certainly following the advice of the Yetzer Hara.

[6] Igros Kodesh 9/188; 213; Likkutei Sichos 16/145; Meishiv Davar 1/44; Igros Moshe Y.D. 3/81

[7] Igros Kodesh ibid; Likkutei Sichos 16/145; Igros Moshe ibid

[8] Likkutei Sichos 16/145; Sichas and letters printed in Shaareiy Chinuch p. 295-299

[9] Igros Kodesh ibid

[10] Shaareiy Rachamim 2 Y.D. 23 and Hod Yosef 1; Nachals Yisrael Sheiris Hanachala p. 10; Sefer Haitim p. 175 in name of Rav Haiy Gaon regarding teaching Arabic and math; Yabia Omer 7/21

[11] Shaareiy Rachamim ibid in his conclusion

[12] Igros Kodesh 5/297 and 9/188; The Rebbe established a trade school in Kefar Chabad in 1955 for such students. See here for more information: http://beismoshiachmagazine.org/katavot/2016/5/21/379539933510.html

[13] Igros Kodesh 5/297

[14] Zera Emes Y.D. 107 p. 119a