To have the best chance of
success, we are certainly going to need to be well educated – and Judaism has
much to say about learning and study. The
obligation to teach one's children is set forth in the instruction to celebrate
seder: "You shall tell your child on that day, saying, 'It is because of
what God did for me when I came out of Egypt.'"
(Exodus 13:8) . In the first paragraph of the Sh’ma, which
is traditionally said every evening and morning, we say: “Take to heart these
instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children.
Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when
you get up.” (Deut 6:6-8). Deuteronomy
contains several other references to the duty to provide education: “Remember
the days of old, consider the years of ages past; ask your father, he will
inform you, your elders, they will tell you.” (Deut 32:7). The Book of Proverbs also contains many verses
related to education: “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your mind
retain my commandments; For they will bestow on you length of days, years of
life and well-being.“ (Prov 3:1-2).
We learn that Joshua ben
Perachyah said: Provide for yourself a teacher and a study partner, and the
sages said: Let the honor of your student be as dear to you as your own”
(Pirkei Avot, 4:15). It is hardly surprising that we place such emphasis
on education: in my own family, my grandmother, father and wife are teachers! And who did the government turn to, to review
the Australian education system and its funding, but David Gonski, a member of The
Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney! Since both
major parties have more or less agreed to these reforms, there may not be a
major point of difference – personally I didn’t understand the rationale of
cutting spending on universities to pay for improved school funding, but we
will have to see what transpires, and hope that universities don’t pay the
price.
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