משנה, פרקי אבות ו:ב
ואומר והלוחות מעשה אלהים המה והמכתב מכתב אלהים הוא חָרות על הלוחות אל תקרא חָרות אלא חירות שאין לך בן חורין אלא מי שעוסק בתלמוד תורה.
Furthermore, it is written, "And the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tablets (Exodus 32:16). Do not read harut (graven) but rather heirut (freedom), for no person is free except one who engages in the study of Torah.
[Soncino translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. How does Torah study make you free? What does it mean to be free?
2. How is education empowering? How does this text affect our understanding of those who deny others their rights to an education?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)