Having Children
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There is a positive mitzvah to bring children into the world and raise them to be proper Jews.[1] A possible reason behind this mitzvah is that Hashem didn't want the world to be empty.[2] Additionally, it is also the doorway to all mitzvot because only living people can fulfill mitzvot and the Torah was given to man and not the angels.[3]
General
- Technically, only men are obligated in this mitzvah.[4]
- A person fulfills his obligation once he has two children, one male and one female.[5]
- Nonetheless, continuing to have more children is also an important mitzvah.[6] Nonetheless, it is important to take into account other values and concerns. [7]
Related Topics
Sources
- ↑ Rambam (Asin), Sefer HaChinuch (no. 1)
- ↑ Yishayahu 45:18, Sefer HaChinuch (no. 1)
- ↑ Sefer HaChinuch (no. 1)
- ↑ Yevamot 65b, Sefer HaChinuch (no. 1), Rambam (Ishut 15:2), S"A EH 1:1
- ↑ Yevamot 61b, Rambam (Ishut 15:4), S"A EH 1:5
- ↑ Rabbi Yehoshua in Yevamot 62b states that if one had children when he is younger he should continue to try to have children when he is older because one never knows the outcome of his children. The Rambam (Ishut 15:16) writes that even though already fulfilled his mitzvah of having children, he has a derabbanan mitzvah to have more children and if he does it is as though he built an entire world. Rabbi Melamed adds that there is a mitzvah of VeHalachta Bedrachav to have more children.
- ↑ Rabbi Melamed explains that it is important to weigh one's decision carefully. For example, he says, if a person knows that if he has more than eight children they will have a lot of stress, frustration, and difficulty, then it is likely advisable not to continue to fulfill this mitzvah if it will cause one to sin and negatively impact the Chinuch of the children.
