Raising Children

When a person stands in front of the Heavenly tribunal to be judged for all the deeds in his life, he is first asked the following questions; Were you honest in business? Did you have fixed times for Torah study? Did you labor in having and raising children? Did you wait for the Redemption? They do not ask, "Did you fulfill your obligation to have children?" They ask if you labored in raising children. This is the beginning of the soul's judgment when it ascends to Heaven. Appararently it is of the utmost importance and one of the main accomplishments expected from us in this world. We can fulfill our obligation to bring children into this world in just a few moments and be done with it, but the obligation to toil in raising them is constant.

(Biala Rebbe)