Jewish studies are a very important part of growing up as a Jew. It is through these stages of Jewish education that the young Jews are initiated into the laws, principles and tenets of Judaism. Jewish studies emphasizes on the study of the Torah. It is because of this aspect that a lot of people have felt that Judaism involves continuous learning throughout one's life. Formal Jewish schooling has four parts: Pre schooling, The Yeshiva, Jewish schools, Girl's education. Let's take a closer look at each of these elements separately.
Primary Schooling
Ben Gamla a sage in the 1st century AD is the one who formalized Jewish education. Before this was established, parents educated their children in Jewish studies at home in an informal manner.
This great sage, made sure that there were schools set up in all towns. Jewish education was also made mandatory for all children after the age of 6. The Talmud sang great praises of this sage and begun attaching immense importance to Jewish studies. It also says that the world will continue to be for those children that study at the house of the Rabbi. It also states that their education is not to be interrupted for anything even if it was the reconstruction of the Temple.
The Yeshiva
The Yeshiva dates back to the Talmudic and Mishnaic times when young men sat in the Jewish court of law and advanced as their contemporaries went on to become a part of the court. However when the court system was done away with the place for Jewish studies of the Torah took place in the Yeshivot. These centers for Jewish education were the most important in Pumbedita and Sura both in Babylonia. The top sages are the one who taught in these two centers. The Yeshivot is an important center for Jewish education and Jewish studies even today for the Orthodox Jews.
Jewish Schools
Jewish education in day schools is an origin that is common. Up until the 19th or the 20th century Jewish boys attended what was called the Cheder which meant room, for their Jewish studies. Here they were educated by a children's teacher. As Jewish education advanced, day schools first sprang up in Germany. Rabbis who specialized in Jewish studies for day schools helped with models for day schools and made them a success. One such Rabbi was Samson Raphael Hirsch. It is because of this effort that there are approximately 750 schools all over the United States today.
Education For Girls
Around the end of the 19th century emphasis started being put on Jewish education for girls. Prior to this especially in the Eastern European countries girls received their Jewish studies at home. When public Jewish education for girls became compulsory in these countries, the conditions changed drastically. The first center for Jewish studies for girls opened in Krakow in the year 1917 and was an initiative of Sarah Schenirer.