Kiddushin, Daf Kaf Tet, Part 2

Introduction

Today s section explains the meaning of obligations of the son on father which according to our reading of the Mishnah (there are other ones) are incumbent upon the father but not the mother.

גמ׳ מאי כל מצות הבן על האב אילימא כל מצות דמיחייב ברא למיעבד לאבא נשים פטורות והתניא איש אין לי אלא איש אשה מנין כשהוא אומר (ויקרא יט, ג) איש אמו ואביו תיראו הרי כאן שנים

GEMARA. What is the meaning of all obligations of the son upon the father ? If we say, all commandments the son must perform for his father ? Are then women [i.e., daughters] exempt? But was it not taught: Every man, his mother and his father shall you fear] (Leviticus 19:3). Every man: I know this only of a man; from where do I know it of a woman? When it is said: Every man, his mother and his father shall you fear: behold, two are [mentioned] here.

Daughters are obligated to honor their parents just as sons are. Therefore, when the mishnah says that all obligations of the son upon the father are incumbent on the man and not the woman, it cannot be referring to mitzvoth that children must perform for their parents.

אמר רב יהודה ה"ק כל מצות הבן המוטלות על האב לעשות לבנו אנשים חייבין ונשים פטורות

Rav Judah said: This is the meaning: All obligations of the son which lie upon the father to do to his son, men are obligated, but women [mothers] are exempt.

Any mitzvah that a parent must do for a child, the father is liable, not the mother.

תנינא להא 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:

We have taught this, as the Rabbis taught: The father is obligated in respect of his son, to circumcise him, redeem him, teach him Torah, find a wife for him, and teach him a craft. Some say, to teach him to swim too. R. Judah said: He who does not teach his son a craft, teaches him banditry. Banditry ! Do you really think so! Rather it is as though he taught him banditry.

This baraita lists the obligations that a father must perform for his son (and not daughter). The Talmud will explain these as we go along.