(כד) עַל־כֵּן֙ יַֽעֲזָב־אִ֔ישׁ אֶת־אָבִ֖יו וְאֶת־אִמּ֑וֹ וְדָבַ֣ק בְּאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהָי֖וּ לְבָשָׂ֥ר אֶחָֽד׃
(24) Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become one flesh.
Seforno on Genesis 2:24
(24) 'They will be one flesh"- meaning that in all actions they will present unity, which is the intention behind man and woman having been created in one body
Rashi on Genesis 2:24
(24) לבשר אחד ONE FLESH — Both parents are united in the child.
1) How do each of these commentators understand becoming "one flesh"?
2) Does Seforno's interpretations have anything to say about child rearing?
1) 4)
2) 5)
3) 6)
דת"ר האב חייב בבנו למולו ולפדותו וללמדו תורה ולהשיאו אשה וללמדו אומנות וי"א אף להשיטו במים רבי יהודה אומר כל שאינו מלמד את בנו אומנות מלמדו ליסטות ליסטות ס"ד אלא כאילו מלמדו ליסטות:
A [parent] is obligated with regard to [their child] to circumcise him, and to redeem him if he is a firstborn son who must be redeemed by payment to a priest, and to teach him/her Torah, and to find him/her to a partner, and to teach him/her a trade. And some say: A [parent] is also obligated to teach [their child] to swim. Rabbi Yehuda says: Any [parent] who does not teach [their child] a trade teaches him/her thievery.
1) According to the Talmud, what are the six things a parent is responsible for regarding their child?
2) How does this list compare to yours?
3) Why do swimming lessons make the list?
4) How might you categorize these in other terms?
A man came to Menahem Mendel of Kotzk and asked how he could make his sons devote themselves to Torah.
Menahem Mendel answered:
"If you really want them to do this, then you yourself must spend much time over the Torah, and they will do as you do. Otherwise they will not devote themselves to Torah, but only tell thier sons to do it. And so it will go on...
(6) I replied: Ah, Lord GOD! I don’t know how to speak, For I am still a boy. (7) And the LORD said to me: Do not say, “I am still a boy,” But go wherever I send you And speak whatever I command you.
1) What are the problems that the Kotzker Rebbe and the Prophet Jeremiah are bringing up?
2) How should each be addressed?
(6) Train a lad according to "his way"; He will not swerve from it even in old age.
What does it mean according to "his way"?