Regulations: On the Education of Bar Mitzvah Boys

In the Name of Blessed God

The Messrs. Parnassim of T: T: [Talmud Torah—Ed.] having disclosed to the gentlemen of the Mahamad [board of governors—Ed.] and councillors the liberty which the students take on becoming Bar Misva, [in that,] contrary to the divine commandments, like libertines they discard and abandon all the[ir] previous education whose only purpose was to prepare them for the study and cultivation of the divine law on reaching this age; [and whereas] this should not be expected [tolerated] if we do not want it to seem as though we approved of our sons’ wandering from the meditation of God’s Law [and] with some following [the example of] the others, the Lord God withdraw His protection, heaven forbid, because this [the study of the Torah] is our only means of attaining divine mercy, of expecting Him to take us under His wing and making us prosper in our careers out of the zeal and love for our divine Law that plead for us;

The gentlemen of the Mahamad and councillors resolved that all boys up to the age of sixteen years must attend school and under no pretext may refuse to attend. The Messrs. Parnassim of T: T: are hereby given the faculty and absolute power of enforcing this in the manner they deem necessary in order to teach said [boys] with their life and by force if need be—all for the service of God.

The devotion and love of all the members is counted upon in making their sons fulfil this sacred duty, for the achievement of which we can hope God will bestow the blessing He promises, that He will open the windows of heaven and pour His blessing upon us until we cry out, Enough!

My God make us worthy of this grace and prosper this entire H: C: [Holy Community; congregation—Ed.] And may there be peace unto all.

Done the 26th day of Hesvan, Yr. 5489 [1728].