DEUT141 Having discussed in the preceding gate the essentials of repentance and its conditions, and since self-accounting is one of these conditions, I think it proper to follow with an explanation of different kinds of self-accounting, for through such introspection one is moved to that which will further one’s well-being in both worlds, as David, peace be upon him, said: “I consider my ways, and I turn my feet to Your testimonies” (Tehillim 119: 59 ).... Self-accounting is earnest deliberation on one's religious and secular concerns, in the privacy of one's thoughts, to discover what he has accomplished--and has yet to accomplish--of his obligations. The prophet charged us to do so when he said, “Understand it today and reflect on it in your heart: Hashem is the God... (Devarim 4:39). David, peace be upon him, said: “Enhance your awareness and discover that God is good” (Tehillim 34:9); “Know the God of your father and serve Him” (Divrei Ha-Yamim I, 28:9); “Don't be like a horse or a mule, without understanding” (Tehillim 32:9). Of one who fails to examine his concerns and does not critique himself in them, it was said: “No one reflects on it in his heart, no one has knowledge or understanding” (Yeshayahu 44:19); “They did not remember His power” (Tehillim 78:42). It says further: “Remember the days of old, reflect on the years of generations past...” (Devarim 32:7ff.); Remembering days of old, [I meditate on all that You did]” (Tehillim 143:5); “I turn my thoughts far away [and ascribe righteousness to my Maker]” (Iyov 36:3).

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT142 See [[DEUT1641]] Deuteronomy 30:20 life AHAVCH 156

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT143 See [[DEUT176]] Deuteronomy 5:16 well BLOCH 126

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT144 It was taught: if a disciple is exiled, his teacher is exiled with him, it being written: "and he shall flee … and he shall live": Provide all that he needs for "living." R. Zeira said: From here it is derived that one should not teach a disciple who is not upright [the latter type furnishing the class of "unwitting slayers," whose teachers are constrained to be exiled along with them] (Makkoth 10a)

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT145 It was taught: R. Yossi said: If one says: I have only Torah, he does not even have that, it being written: "and learn them … to do them": One who is included in "doing" is included in "learning"; one who is not included in "doing" is not included in "learning" (Yevamoth 109b)

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT146 Though it was ruled that a father is obligated to teach his son Torah, still, if he did not teach him, he is obligated to teach himself, it being written: "and learn them" (Kiddushin 29a)

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT147 Marriage provides the venue for having children but is also, in the Jewish view, the context in which children are educated. Parents have a duty to educate their children in Judaism, including its moral component. (Deuteronomy 6:7, 20-25, 11:19. This was already one of Abraham's duties (Genesis 18:19)). Parents may use schools to help them fulfill that duty, but they must periodically check to make sure that their children are in fact learning what they should, because ultimately the duty to educate children remains theirs. Moreover, much of the Jewish tradition can be taught only at home, for this is a tradition that is not restricted to the synagogue or school: It tends to influence virtually every detail of life.

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT148 Our religious mode of life was the first to give humanity a God who, within Himself, incorporated all that was ideal and who demanded the same combination of virtues in those who followed Him. Those who spoke in the name of the Jewish God made it clear from the outset that to serve Him was not to indulge in theoretical discussions of ethical tracts but to translate His moral demands into a life of good deeds. Jewish authorities never compiled an "Index Expurgatorius", before the people. The only recorded instance in the Talmud of an attempt being made to exclude the Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and Esther was triumphantly frustrated by an authority no less eminent than R. Akiva (See Meg. 7a). Man was to be judged by his actions, the only true criterion of Godliness. (See Leviticus xviii. 5; [this verse], Jer. vii. 3-7; Amos v. 14-15; Ps. xxxiv 12-15; xxxvii. 27; cf. Kiddushin 40b).

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT149 [E]very Jew is responsible to know God's commands and to teach them to their children. (For the duty of Jewish adults to learn the Torah, see this verse. For the duty of parents to teach their children, see Deuteronomy 6:7, 11:19).

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

DEUT150 See [[NUM152]] Numbers 15:2 speak OXFORD 13-4

SHOW FULL EXCERPT