W. J. Moulton points out that in the Jewish culture, "the parents were the chief teachers of their children and the home the only school. The moral instruction of the children is emphasized as one of the weightiest obligations of the father." (Moulton, The Social Institutions of Israel, as quoted by Arthur S. Peake in his Commentary on the Bible, p. 69) [As quoted in W. Cleon Skousen, Treasures from the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 1015]
“I Was Taught Somewhat in All the Learning of My”
In the very beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi declares that "having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father" (1 Nephi 1:1). One might wonder what it was that Nephi's father taught his son, or why Nephi didn't choose to identify his father in this introduction to his record. According to Douglas and Robert Clark,
The etymology of the word "father" might tell us to focus on the patterns in the teachings that were handed down to their sons by not only Lehi, but all the faithful fathers which are referred to in the Book of Mormon. The word pattern is ultimately derived from the Latin pater, meaning "father." The Book of Mormon fathers are indeed "patterns." [E. Douglas Clark and Robert S. Clark, Fathers and Sons in the Book of Mormon, p. 291]
Note* The Book of Mormon fathers are covenant patterns. The preface of the Book of Mormon tells us that one of the main purposes of the book "is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord. . . . [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]
“Having Been Born of Goodly Parents Therefore I Was Taught Somewhat in All the Learning of My Father”
According to Donna Nielsen, the Hebrew word for parent, horeh, derives from the root yareh, which means teaching, instruction, and direction. In the Jewish culture, until the age of three the education of the family was mainly the responsibility of the mother. When a child turned three, the father became the primary source of information concerning the history of their people and the laws regarding correct behavior. Deuteronomy 32:7 reflects this and counsels children to "ask thy father and he will tell thee." The father was expected to know and live the law and to "make it known to the children and their children's children." The word Torah in Hebrew does not only mean "law," it also means "teaching." To know and live the law required much diligence. Through a careful study of 5,845 verses in the first five books of the Bible (the Torah), the Jews found 613 commandments. These were the basis of the Law of Moses. When Christ was questioned about which of these 613 statutes was most important, he quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is One Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." This scripture is called the Shema (pronounced as Shma) which means "Hear!" or "Listen!" or "Pay Attention!" This was the very first and most important religious principle that a child was taught. He memorized it and recited it several times daily. [Donna B. Nielsen, Beloved Bridegroom: Finding Christ in Ancient Jewish Marriage and Family Customs, pp. 4-5]
Note* Thus, Nephi's connection in 1 Nephi 1:1 between "goodly parents" and being taught in "all the learning" of his father is very appropriate to the Jewish culture. It is also very interesting that the principles and spirit incorporated in the Shema seem to appear later on in Nephi's narrative in Lehi's pleadings with his rebellious sons relative to the covenant blessings and cursings of the promised land (see 2 Nephi 1:21-24). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]