EXOD1009 When God saw [Joshua's] great devotion to study (cf. this verse), He said: since the words of the Torah are so precious to you, may not the book of the Torah depart out of your mouth! It is emphasized that the study of Torah must not be reduced to a mere duty. Instead of a burdensome task it should be considered as a blessed privilege. [Men. 99b; see also Mid. Tehilim 1:17] Maimonides rules in his Code: "Every Jew is obligated to study Torah whether he be poor or rich, in good physical health, or a sufferer, young or very old. Even if he goes begging from door-to-door, has a wife and children to support, he must set aside time for the study of the Torah. ... And how long must he continue to study? Until his death." [Hilchot Talmud Torah, 1, 8-10]. The mind and spirit must be kept active and awake by learning something everyday. A man's obligation does not end with his own study of Torah. He must also teach it to his sons. The Law reads: "Ye shall teach them [the Commandments] diligently unto your sons" (Deut 6:7, also 11:19). The father may delegate this task to a competent teacher, but he must provide his sons and even his son's sons with religious education. Even the poor made heavy sacrifices for the sake of training their sons in Torah. In case the father was too indigent, the community considered itself obligated to secure religious instruction for every boy within its jurisdiction.