What’s the goal of this education? TB Nazir 29

On today’s daf TB Nazir 29 we learn that “The mishna taught that a man can vow that his (minor-gg) son should be a nazirite, but a woman cannot do so. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for this? Rabbi Yoḥanan said: It is a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai with regard to a nazirite. And Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said that Reish Lakish said: The purpose is in order to educate him in mitzvot, to teach him how to observe the mitzva of naziriteship. ” (Sefaria.org translation)

You can’t argue with Rabbi Yoḥanan’s position. Logic plays no role in this halakha for it is just a given that is traced back to Moses from God on Mount Sinai. But you can question Reish Lakish’s reason why a father can vow that his minor son should be a nazirite. A father has the obligation to teach and accustom his young children to observe the daily, weekly, and holiday observances. The children will need know how to put on tefillin, keep kosher, observe the Shabbat, and the holidays like Sukkot. These are Judaism’s life lessons. What would the goal of the father to educate his son by vowing that his minor son become a nazir? First of all, most people never ever become a nazir! Secondly, the rabbis frowned upon vowing to become a nazir. What is the father trying to teach his son?

The Rosh provides the answer to this question. The path of abstinence is not a Jewish way of life. That’s why we do not have a concept of Jewish monks who retreat from the world. Judaism teaches us we should enjoy God’s bounty which He has graciously provided for us. Nevertheless, we are not supposed to overindulge. We need to learn the balance between enjoying this world and abstinence. The father is trying to teach him the importance of discipline.

I think the goal of this education is worthy for us to implement even when we are never going to be nezirim. We live in an age of conspicuous consumption. We North Americans waste too much food, energy, and other resources. For our health and health of our planet, we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle. We need more discipline in our lives.