Why do Jewish families feel that it is so important to teach young people about their faith?

Question

I'm really very interested and would like to know for an essay piece i'm currently doing! hope you can help xx

Answer 1

History shows the reason originated after the Hebrews were set free from Egypt after 400 years of slavery there. Moses was told by Yahweh, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land."

The 10th plague on Egypt was the death of the firstborn. To ensure their firstborn were passed over by the Angel of Death, Israelites had to put the blood of a slain lamb on their lintels, stay indoors that night and eat the lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, ready to exit. This Passover was to be celebrated thereafter, on the 14th day of Nisan. Moses explained to them, "When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians'."

Thus began the tradition of ceremonies designed to remind all, and to teach children, what the Lord had done. Verbal instruction is great, but teaching via ceremonies is doubly powerful, especially for children. It is a sad day indeed when people forget who they, uniquely, are because they were not taught what those roots were. Parents have a great responsibility and an imense privilege to pass on that inheritance to their children. Christians are also indebted to Judaism for such lessons, without which the meaning of Christ's death and atonement would be lost to them.

Answer 2

I can possibly help. I can tell you how, as a non-practicing, Jew feel. I can also tell you how my parents, also non-practising Jews felt.

Our religion is dieing out. We don't convert people. We have a lower birth rate then any other group in the world. Many Jews are marrying outside the faith, so the kids are no longer Jewish.

I think that we see one another...and we know the culture is on the decline (how many now speak Yiddish), and we are afraid. We know how much is beautiful and special about what we believe, and what it copntributed to the world. We have seen that our values and traditions work.

Because of the mass extermination of Jews. and rampant anti-semitism around the world, that has existed on this planet for 2000 years....we have something of a paranoia complex. Only it isn't paranoia....a lot really do want us all dead. The holocaust wasn't the first time Jews were slaughtered for being jews. It probably won't be the last. Jews have been killed througout the world for what we believe.

That knowledge that others want to hurt us, and have hurt us, makes us look inward to one another for support and help.

My children will be raised in a Jewish house hold, attend Hebrew School at least once a week, and recieve Bar Mitzvah. I am not religious at all...but I want them to know what they are, who they are, and why others hate them.

Answer 3

I wouldn't say it's particular to Jewish families. Islamic families (Orthodox ones) teach Qoran from very early age. On Youtube there is this 9 year old Iranian girl that has memorised most of the whole book and she is reciting it from memory. Astounding!

Answer 4

For the same reason everyone else does, they want their children to go to heaven.

Additionally, they teach beyond the faith but the history of their people as well.

Anyone can convert, but not everyone can be Jewish.

Answer 5

That their religion is the only one that's correct. Just like every religion does. Sorry that wasn't much help for your essay. Was it?

Answer 6

I'm sorry...but this has to be just about the dumbest question I've seen on these bandwidths....and that says quite alot.

Yeah, right......All jewish parents should raise their kids to be hindus!!!! get a grip.