In this week’s Parsha, Rebbi Akiva finds another requirement for a father to do for his son, aside from giving him a bris milah, redeeming him if he is a first born, teaching him Torah, teaching him a trade, and marrying him off. The passuk says, “[Choose good] In order that you should live, you and your children.” Rebbi Akiva learns from here that there is a connection between the father and son as far as “living” is concerned. From here we learn that a father must teach his son how to swim, in order that he should not drown if he falls into the water.

Rabbi Aharon Dovid Singer
Rosh Kollel, NMB Kollel