“A parent and child must both study Torah. When possibilities exist for only one, the adult’s personal needs take precedence to the child’s” (Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 29b, and The Shulchan Aruch, Y.D. 245:2).
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Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz earned a master's degree at
Harvard University in Leadership Psychology a second master's degree in Jewish
Philosophy at Yeshiva University, and a doctorate from Columbia University in
Epistemology and Moral Development. A
Jew by choice, Rabbi Yanklowitz is well known as an opponent of the death penalty and
advocate for the homeless, as well as a
foster father, a vegan, and the author
of 25 books. His explanation of this
ruling is as follows:
"What does this quote mean in context? Indeed, it means that Judaism is not a children’s game. The primary goal of Judaism is not engaging children, but in actualizing Jewish values in the world. It is an ever-expanding enterprise about the relevance of business ethics, medical ethics, relationship development, spiritual growth, personal healing, and so much more. Bringing God down to earth requires sophisticated thought and sophisticated minds. Bringing ethics into the workplace and Godliness into the home requires deep spiritual and emotional investment.
"Many (Jews in America) go on to receive advanced secular degrees and it is no wonder they view Judaism as irrelevant and childish when their Jewish education stopped as the teen years began. The Jewish answers they still remember are children’s answers. More tragically, the questions are children’s questions."
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
