GEN989 How are the [educational] roles of father and mother realized? The answer to this question can be found in the verse, “Sh’ma b’ni mussar ovichoh v’al titosh Toras imechoh” Proverbs 1:8 --   Hearken, my son, to the admonition of your father and forsake not the Torah of your mother. We thus see that it is the father who admonishes, disciplines, curbs and tempers and it is the other who imparts Torah inspiration, insight and values. It is the father who admonishes and disciplines in the observance of both the mitzvos between man and God and those between man and man; it is the father who curbs the child’s whims and caprices and inculcates in him an attitude of respect and dignity. And he does this not only thorough explicit and stern verbal admonition – though this method too is important in certain situations – but especially through silent admonition by virtue of the ethical image which he himself furnishes to his child.   It is mentioned in the Torah in connection with Avrohom Ovinu: “For I [God] have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice.” [this verse]   At first glance it seems strange that the Torah uses the expression “Ki y’dativ … v’shomru derech HaShem” – For I have known … that they may know the way of the Lord.” It appears that the expression, “lishmor derech HaShem” (to keep the way of the Lord) would be more appropriate. The answer is that Avrohom Ovinu did not transmit the moral and spiritual values to his descendants through explicit admonition only. Avrohom Ovinu imparted the spiritual heritage to his children by furnishing a sublime living image to his children.   BUILD 23