Teach Swimming With Joy to Survive

Choose Life (Deuteronomy 30)

It is our obligation to teach our children Torah. Give them their independence. Be sure they can support themselves and take care of themselves.

R. Akiva (ca. 50–ca. 135 CE) emphasizes that we must "teach our children to swim". This extends beyond survival in water. Give them the tools to survive in any misfortune.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986) added to the message that we must teach our children not only the obligation to follow the teachings of Torah but also to feel the pride and joy of doing this. Also they must adopt the proper attitude about learning and living in the right path.


"And choose life in order that you and your offspring will live." (Devarim 30:19). "Why does the Torah need to write this?" asks Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l. The previous verse (30:15) already stated that doing good brings life, and evil brings death. However, there is a deeper point here. The way that we choose to fulfill the mitzvos can bring life. Do we perform mitzvos begrudgingly, out of a feeling of obligation? Are our mitzvos a "lifeless" routine? If so, they will not have a positive influence on our offspring and students. They will sense that the fulfilling the mitzvos of the Torah is a big burden, and find excuses to throw off the yoke.

Contrast this with one who does mitzvos with great simcha (happiness). He learns Torah with tremendous joy. He puts "life" into his mitzvos because they are his life's pleasure. All other fleeting delights pale in comparison. This person will merit true life - great happiness in this world, and eternity in the world to come. And his children will see it, feel it, and follow in his footsteps. (http://www.shemayisrael.co.il)

Remember why we study Torah and Talmud is to make the quality of life the best it can be for us and future generations.