Honoring Parents

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In Judaism, every day is Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Introduction

It's one of the Ten Commandments1 – right up there with belief in God and "don't murder." The Talmud regards it as one of the most difficult mitzvot to perform properly.2 What's so special about the mitzvah to honor parents?

Many people think that honoring parents is some kind of payback for all those years of changing diapers and paying for college. Actually, this mitzvah was given to the generation who wandered 40 years in the desert, where God automatically provided everyone's needs. The parents didn't feed their children; they had the manna to eat. The parents didn't provide clothing; the clothes grew with them and never needed washing.3 Nevertheless, it was precisely this generation who stood at Mount Sinai and heard God utter, "Honor your father and mother."

We learn from here an amazing thing: The mitzvah of honoring parents does not depend on what your parents did for you, or even whether they were good parents. Rather, we honor parents simply because they gave us the gift of life.4

Obligation to Honor Parents

Imagine you were drowning and a stranger came along and saved your life. You would be forever indebted to that person. All the more so we should be grateful to our parents who gave us life.

The Talmud teaches that there are three partners in the formation of a person: father, mother, and the Almighty.5 If we have gratitude to our parents for the gift of life, how much more so we'll be grateful to God for creating and sustaining the entire world – for giving us air to breathe, flowers to smell, and soil to walk on.

By honoring those who brought us into existence, we learn not to take things for granted and develop an appreciation for the kindness of others.6

In addition, in the case of caring for our parents, we fulfill two other Torah obligations at the same time: (a) "Love your fellow as yourself,"7 and (b) Emulating G-d's ways, as G-d cares for the needs of all mankind.8

With that introduction, let's get to the practical "how to" of honoring parents.

Why Honor Parents?

How to Honor

There are actually two parts to this mitzvah

  1. Honor your parents9 (in Hebrew, kibbud av v'eim) – these are the positive "to do" actions
  2. Revere your parents10 (in Hebrew, morah) – the "don't do" actions

The basic way to honor parents is to care for their needs. Specifically, this includes:

  • bringing them food and drink,11 including helping with meal preparation and grocery shopping12
  • assisting them with paying bills, banking, etc.
  • transporting them, e.g. giving a ride to the doctor

An occasional exception to this is the case of a married daughter. Generally speaking, her obligations towards her husband take precedence over those towards her parents.12a In cases of conflict, an appropriate rabbinical authority should be consulted.

When possible, it is preferable for a child to live near the parents,13 to better care for their needs.14 There are really no limits to this; the Talmud tells how the great Rabbi Tarfon would bend down to serve as a step-stool for his mother to climb in and out of bed.15

Parents should be visited and phoned as frequently as possible, depending on the parent's needs and child's schedule.16 In general, be sensitive to the fact that parents naturally worry about their children. Try to send a quick email or phone message every day or two. Especially if you are traveling, call to let them know that you arrived safely.17

If the parent is old and infirm, the child is responsible to arrange for his care, and must pay for it if the parent cannot afford to do so.18

Of course, you should never let your parents feel that they are a burden, or that you are assisting only out of obligation.19

As a reward for honoring parents, the Torah promises long life.20 One possible explanation is that taking care of parents – especially when they are elderly – can be very time-consuming. So God "compensates," so to speak, by adding extra years to your own life.21

As an added bonus, when your children will see you honoring your parents, they will learn this importance of this mitzvah. That's the payback when it comes your turn to be on the receiving end.22

How to Honor Parents

Admiration

Honoring parents goes beyond just "doing favors." An element of this mitzvah is to admire your parents and consider them to be eminent people.23 For example, if you hear someone speak negatively about your parents, you are required to speak up and defend their honor.24

Even more, you should make a specific effort to love your parents, to the point of developing hero worship!25 How is this achieved? The definition of love is "the pleasure of identifying people with their virtues." You should try to discover the qualities that make your parents extraordinary, among the greatest people alive.26 The more of your parents' virtues you're aware, the more you'll appreciate, love and honor them.27 (However, even if you don't develop this "love," the obligation remains to honor them.28)

The Talmud suggests other ways to increase admiration:

  • If you need a favor – e.g. you want the car mechanic to fix your muffler ASAP – you should ask him to do it "as a favor to my parents." Even if the mechanic would do it for you anyway, phrasing it this way increases your parents' esteem in everyone's eyes.29
  • Another way to build admiration is to stand up when your parent enters the room.30 At first glance this may seem strange in our modern society. But imagine you were sitting at a board meeting and the chairman walked in; you would rise out of respect to greet him. We should accustom ourselves to treating our parents the same way – standing up to welcome them when they arrive, and escorting them when they leave.31

In general, a child should be eager to fulfill his parents' wishes. There are some limits, however:

  • If a parent instructs a child to do something that violates Jewish law, the child should respectfully refuse to do so.32
  • A child need not comply with a parent's request to do something painful, demeaning, or that will cause financial loss.33
  • Similarly, a child should refuse to assist the parent in doing anything that is dangerous or unhealthy.34

There are three specific areas that, due to their intense personal nature, a person is not required to respect his parents' wishes:

  • choosing whom to marry35
  • maximizing one's Torah studies36
  • wanting to move to Israel37

Parents vs. Independence

Awe and Reverence

Besides the mitzvah to honor parents, there is a second aspect of awe and reverence. The particulars of how to fulfill this may depend on the society in which you live. But the basic principle is that there must be clear lines: "I am the parent and you are the child. We are not equals."

This is typically achieved by observing the following guidelines:

  • Do not sit in a place that is designated for your parent.38 For example, don't sit in your mother's seat at the dinner table, and don't sit in your father's special easy chair (unless you've asked permission).
  • Do not contradict anything your parent says, even if it's obviously wrong.39 Rather, you can phrase it as an uncertainty: "If I'm not mistaken, I may have read differently."40 You should not even validate your parent's words in their presence, i.e. do not say, "I believe what you're saying is correct."41 (However, validating the parents' opinion when not in their presence accords them honor.)42
  • Do not address your parents by their first name.43 In a situation where you need to state your parent's name, you should add a title, e.g. "My father is Mr. Joshua Goldberg."44
  • Do not wake a parent who is sleeping, or make noise that might disturb him.45
  • A child should not see his parent naked.46
  • Do not raise your voice, speak disrespectfully,47 or in any way demean your parent.48 Beyond this, hitting or cursing a parent is an extremely serious transgression.49

Sometimes, a parent might feel uncomfortable with the rules of honoring parents, especially when teaching (and enforcing!) them to younger children. But it's important to keep in mind that more than for the sake of the parents' honor, all this is to instill good character traits in the child, to give him a framework for future relationships – with friends and colleagues, with his own children, and with God.

Posthumous Honor

The obligation to honor and respect parents applies even after they have passed away.50 When referring to a parent who has passed away, you should add an expression of honor, for example:

  • "My father, zichrono li'vracha" – may his memory be for a blessing. (For a mother, the first word is zichrona).51
  • "My father, alav ha'shalom" – peace be upon him. (For a mother, the first word is aleh'ha).52

Once you are married and have children of your own, naming a child after your deceased relatives – parents, grandparents and other relatives – is considered an honor for your parents.53 The Sefardic custom is to also name after living relatives.54

Other ways to posthumously honor a parent include:

  • donating to charity in their memory55
  • reciting Kaddish56 for the first 11 months after death, and on each yahrtzeit (anniversary of death)
  • saying the Yizkor memorial prayer on Jewish holidays57
  • lighting a memorial candle on the yahrtzeit58
  • learning Torah on the yahrtzeit59

In general, raising your level of Jewish commitment (i.e. Torah study and mitzvot) is a great source of merit for your parents, even after they pass away.60

The Mourner's Kaddish

Ashkenazi Pronunciation

Sefardi Pronunciation

 

The Rabbi's Kaddish

Ashkenazi Pronunciation

Sefardi Pronunciation

 

Other Relatives

There are a number of "secondary" relatives who a child is also obligated to honor:

  • grandparents61
  • in-laws62
  • step-parents63
  • older siblings64
  • aunts and uncles65

In a case of conflicting demands, honoring an actual parent takes precedence.66

Also, the obligation to honor these other relatives does not include the aspects of "awe and reverence" (e.g. calling by first name, sitting in their chair, etc.).67

Finally, every parent has a deep desire to see their family at peace with one another. Therefore children must be very sensitive to the pain it can cause parents if they are quarrelling with siblings and other relatives.68

The Difficult Parent

The reality is, of course, that parents are not perfect. And some parents are objectively problematic. Yet no matter how difficult a parent's behavior, a child is still obligated to show honor and respect.69 This applies even if a biological parent has abandoned his child. And it applies even if the parent is rude, unpleasant, and an embarrassment.70 The Talmud71 tells the story of a mother who spit in her son's face – while the son kept his composure and continued to accord her honor.

At the same time, while honoring your parents is a tremendous mitzvah, you also need to be responsible for your own welfare. One is not required to endanger his emotional or physical health for a parent. Therefore, if a child cannot cope with the parent's behavior, he is permitted to keep his distance.72

The obligation of the mitzvah, however, still applies. For instance it would still be forbidden to use the parent's first name or to contradict him publicly. And it is always appropriate for a child to feel a deep appreciation to a parent for giving him the gift of life.

Of course, all this does not in any way absolve an abusive parent. On the contrary, a parent should not be overly strict with his own honor, and may choose to forgo that honor when appropriate.73

Children are precious gems that are deposited with parents for polishing and finishing. Parents who fail to build a warm and loving relationship with their children will pay a heavy price for this negligence.

Divine Paradigm

As we mentioned earlier, honoring parents serves as a springboard for the gratitude we should feel toward God. But this issue goes much deeper. The commentators74 point out that the first five of the Ten Commandments (i.e. the first tablet) contains mitzvot between man and God: don't serve idols, don't take God's name in vain, etc., whereas the second tablet contains mitzvot between man and man: don't murder, don't steal, etc.

Where is the mitzvah to honor one's parents? In the first set of five. Because from the moment of infancy and beyond, the way a parent acts toward a child forms in the child's consciousness a paradigm for how God relates to us.75 The primary role of a parent, therefore, is to communicate to the child: You are loved and cherished. You are unique and special, creative and talented. You are cared for and protected.

The most important message a parent can communicate is: "You are not alone in this world." This idea is the foundation of our relationship with God. A person may find themselves in a terrible situation – illness, poverty, war – but they can still know that God is with them.76

If a parent is untrustworthy and uncaring, unusually harsh or permissive, it subconsciously sets into the child's mind that God must somehow be the same. This is an emotional handicap that can be difficult to overcome later in life.

One final thought: As society progresses, there may be a tendency for children to feel "ahead" of their parents. Sure, kids today are more technologically savvy, and are up on the latest music and fashions. But in Jewish consciousness, parents are to be respected because they are the source of our tradition. In other words, parents not only gave us life in this world, but are the link that connects us to our eternal Jewish heritage.77

Further Reading

Listen below to four short audio segments on "Honoring Your Parents" by Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits:

1. Obligation to Honor Parents

2. Why Honor Parents?

3. How to Honor Parents

4. Parents vs. Independence

(This entire audio class is available at aishaudio.com)


  1. Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  2. Jerusalem Talmud (Peah 1:1)
  3. Midrash Rabba – Shir HaShirim 4:2;Yalkut Shimoni – Psalms 691
  4. Meshech Chachma and K’tav Sofer (V’etchanan)
  5. Kiddushin 30b
  6. Sefer HaChinuch 33
  7. Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  8. Leviticus 19:3
  9. Yoreh De’ah 240:4. If the parent has no money for food, the child is responsible to pay (Yoreh De’ah 240:5).
  10. Biur HaGra (YD 240:36)
  11. Aruch HaShulchan (YD 240:36)
  12. Maimonides (Mamrim 6:3); Chayei Adam 67:4
  13. Kiddushin 31b
  14. The Fifth Commandment by Rabbi Moshe Lieber, pg. 90
  15. Sefer HaChassidim 575
  16. Rabbi Y.S. Eliyashiv, cited in Morah Horim V’Kibbudam. In general, the cost of caring for parents is divided between the children, according to the ability to pay (Rema – Yoreh De’ah 240:5).
  17. Talmud – Kiddushin 31a
  18. Exodus 20:12
  19. The Fifth Commandment, pg. 28, citing Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld
  20. Ohr HaChaim (Leviticus 19:3)
  21. Chayei Adam 67:3
  22. Sefer HaYirah – s.v. U’Me’od Yesh
  23. Chayei Adam 67:1
  24. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz (Sichot Mussar 5731:22)
  25. Rabbi Noah Weinberg, 48 Ways to Wisdom (#32)
  26. Ha’emek Davar (Deut. 5:16)
  27. Yoreh De’ah 240:6
  28. Yoreh De’ah 240:7. The Ashkenazi practice is to stand for a parent once in the morning and once in the evening (Rema – Yoreh De’ah 242:16). Sefardim stand every time a parent enters the room (Birkei Yosef – YD 242:21).
  29. Yoreh De’ah 240:4
  30. Yoreh De’ah 240:15, based on Leviticus 19:3 with Rashi. This includes posthumous requests, such as to cremate the parent’s body (Achiezer 3:72, based on Maimonides – Avel 12:1), or not to say Kaddish (Yabia Omer, vol. 6 – YD 31:4).
  31. The Fifth Commandment, pg. 127
  32. Aruch HaShulchan (YD 240:41); Beit Lechem Yehuda (YD 240:15). Birkei Yosef (YD 240:10) limits this to things that are life-threatening.
  33. Rema – Yoreh De’ah 240:25
  34. Yoreh De’ah 240:13, 25
  35. Mabit 1:139. However, Binat Adam (based on Tashbatz 3:288) contends that with regard to moving to Israel, parents’ wishes must be respected.
  36. Yoreh De'ah 240:2
  37. Yoreh De'ah 240:2
  38. Yoreh De’ah 240:11; Aruch HaShulchan (YD 240:33)
  39. Yoreh De’ah 240:2
  40. Chayei Adam 67:8
  41. Yoreh De'ah 240:2
  42. Shu”t Igros Moshe (YD 1:133)
  43. Rema – Yoreh De'ah 240:8, with Taz 10
  44. Rema – Yoreh De'ah 242:16, Even Ha’ezer 23:6
  45. Yoreh De'ah 240:8
  46. Yoreh De'ah 241:6, based on Deut. 27:16
  47. Exodus 21:15, Leviticus 20:9; Yoreh De'ah 241:1 with Rema. All things being equal, a child should avoid administering assistance to a parent that would result in bleeding – e.g. removing a splinter, performing surgery or dental treatment (Yoreh De'ah 241:3).
  48. Yoreh De’ah 240:9
  49. Yoreh De’ah 240:9
  50. Ben Ish Chai (vol. 2, Parshat Shoftim 14)
  51. Sdei Chemed (Ma’arechet Kaf 104)
  52. Talmud – Shabbat 134a; Yalkut Yosef (Kibud Av V'Em 8:5); Yabia Omer (vol. 5 – YD 21, EH 7:7)
  53. Beit Yosef (OC 284); Rema – Yoreh De’ah 249:16
  54. Chayei Adam 67:6
  55. Gesher HaChaim 1:31:1
  56. K’tav Sofer (OC 65)
  57. Talmud – Yevamot 122a, with Rashi; Aruch HaShulchan (YD 376:13)
  58. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:21; Ma’alot HaMidot (Ma’alot Kibud Av V’Em); Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 143:21
  59. Rema – Yoreh De’ah 240:24; Aruch HaShulchan (YD 240:44)
  60. Yoreh De’ah 240:24, with Taz 19. This is learned from Moses honoring his father-in-law, Yitro (Exodus 18:7, Mechilta 18:6).
  61. Yoreh De’ah 240:21
  62. Birkei Yosef (YD 240:17); Gilyon Maharsha (YD 240:22); Pitchei Teshuva (YD 240:19); see Nachmanides to Genesis 32:5, Exodus 15:20
  63. Birkei Yosef (YD 240:18)
  64. Rema – Yoreh De’ah 240:24
  65. Shach (YD 240:22); Yalkut Yosef 14:13
  66. Sefer HaChassidim 574. This can cause parents anguish even after they have passed away.
  67. Yoreh De’ah 240:18, 241:4 (If the parent is an extremely wicked person, a rabbi should be consulted.)
  68. Yoreh De’ah 240:3
  69. Kiddushin 31a
  70. Aruch HaShulchan (YD 240:16, 33); Sefer HaChassidim 343
  71. Yoreh De’ah 240:19
  72. Abarbenel (Parshat Yitro 20:12); Torat HaMincha (Drasha 24)
  73. Maimonides (Mamrim 6:1); Sefer HaChinuch 33
  74. heard from Rabbi Noach Orlowek
  75. Abarbanel (Parshat Yitro 20:12)
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