Halachos for Educators

From Halachipedia

Jews from time immemorial placed a tremendous importance on teaching Jewish children Torah because it is the key to the future of the Jewish people.[1]

Importance of Teaching

  1. The primary obligation is teaching Torah and learning Torah is a necessary step in order to teach.[2]
  2. It is extremely important that children learn Torah and we shouldn't stop them from learning in order to fulfill another mitzvah. We shouldn't interrupt children learning Torah to participate in the building of the bet hamikdash.[3]

Who can be a Teacher

Male Teachers Female Teachers

Need for Teachers

  1. There shouldn't be more than twenty five students for one teacher. If that teacher has an assisstant he could have up to forty students.[4] However, primarily it depends on the situation.[5]

Speaking in a Way that the Students Understand

Rav Volbe on Parsha Ki Tisa

Teachers who Don't Prepare Properly

Yirmiyahu 48:10, Rambam Talmud Torah 2:4

Speaking Lashon Hara about Students

See Lashon Hara page.

Charging Tuition

See Laws_of_Learning_Torah#Teaching_Torah

Obligation of Parents and Grandparents

Obligation of Community

Related Links

  1. Laws of Learning Torah

Sources

  1. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in Lessons in Leadership Parshat Bo p. 74 cited by Rabbi Rosner Bo 5779
  2. Gemara Brachot 14b, Gemara Bava Kama 17a, Ritva 14b, Pirkei Avot 4:6, Rambam Talmud Torah 1:1
  3. Gemara Shabbat 119b, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 245:13
  4. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 245:15 rules that there shouldn't be more than twenty five students per teacher. If there is between twenty five and forty there needs to be a teacher with another assistant.
  5. The Shach 245:10 writes that it all depends on the situation, the quality of the teacher and students.