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2 Chronicles 17:9: And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them; they went about throughout all the cities

of Judah and taught among the people.

After the exile to Babylon, it was very important for Jewish boys and girls to be educated. God had commanded all to write the laws upon their door post and gates of their houses (Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20).

You cannot write without being able to read first. Before the age of five (5), it was the Fathers duty to teach the children the laws of God and the laws of the land. At the age of five (5), all young males and females went to the Bethusefer or the House of the First Book. It was like our Elementary School. It was for students ages five (5) to twelve (12). The Jews were some of the only people who thought enough of females to educate them. In Hebrew society, everyone was granted a basic Education. Everyone must know how to read, write, some math and to think Godly.

Only the best students went on to the secondary level of Education called Bet Midrash or the House of Discipleship (Talmidim). All these students would be males between the ages of thirteen (13), fifteen and sixteen (16). All these young men would have passed their Barmitzvah. They would be Son’s of God’s Divine Law. They would have learned all 613 of the Laws of Moses; taken active parts in the Religious Services; able to vote with the men of the Town and testify in Religious Courts of the Land. For all practical purpose they were considered grown men. It was their Father’s, Grandfather’s or Uncle’s duty to teach them a Trade or skill, so they could support themselves. for y

oung men seventeen (17) and over who felt a further educational call on their life, their family would engage a sage to teach them until they were thirty (30) years old. At that time, they would become Rabbi. Then they would teach others for a living.