Leap of faith: How (not) to be a parent
Education is key to good parenting
If you’re looking for guidelines on ‘How NOT to bring up your children’, you need look no further than the book of Genesis. A couple of weeks ago, we were introduced to the parenting techniques of Isaac and Rebekah as they showed favouritism to their twin sons Esau and Jacob respectively. And next week in the Torah we will read about one of those sons, Jacob, singling out one of his twelve for special attention, thereby alienating the other eleven.
Another place not to look for such guidance is the United States of America. Of course, safely distanced from the book of Genesis, we all think our children can do no wrong, but it surely cannot be right to create situations that encourage them to believe that they are above the law. Yet in what many see as a flagrant abuse of power, the outgoing President, Joe Biden, has used his position to issue a pardon to his son Hunter.
This is not the place to argue the rights and wrongs of the political machinations taking place in the USA. But perhaps it is significant that the decision to issue the pardon to Hunter came after the Biden family had gathered for Thanksgiving at their family retreat. Regardless of one’s position in society, the bond that connects us to our offspring is a powerful one. And traditional family gatherings – often fraught and tense, as anyone organising a family Seder meal will know (!) – are, nevertheless, moments where identity is shaped and lifelong influences affirmed.
Perhaps a better place to look in the Bible for parental guidance is the book of Proverbs, a store of ancient wisdom that can often surprise us with its insights. “Do not withhold discipline from a child,” we read in chapter 23. “If you beat them with a rod they will not die” (v13). And earlier in the same book we are assured that “The one who spares the rod hates their child, but the one who loves them disciplines them early” (13:24). Of course, this is not meant to be taken literally. Numerous laws now forbid a parent or anyone to beat a child, but the metaphor is clear: it’s about managing their behaviour.
The decision by outgoing President Biden to pardon his son is a consequence of the state of American politics and its justice system as well as an example – misplaced or otherwise – of family loyalty. As the quotes from Proverbs indicate, the way to avoid such issues is to instil correct understanding in a child from an early age: ‘You shall teach them to your children,” states the Sh’ma (Deut: 6:7). Judaism’s emphasis on education is surely the key to good parenting.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
