A Project Genesis website

JewishAnswers.org

Ask the Rabbi: answers from Project Genesis rabbis

Father’s obligation to his son

Question

I am interested in knowing what things the Talmud says a Jewish Father is obligated to do for his Jewish son. Thank you for your help.

Answer

The Talmud in Tractate Kiddushin 29a lists the things a father is obligated to do for his son:

“A father is obligated to circumcise his son, to redeem him (if he is the first born), to teach him Torah, to find him a wife, to teach him a trade and some even say to teach him how to swim (in other words, giving him the skills necessary to avoid common dangers)”