Question: [Thursday, 17th Tamuz, 5783] I heard someone quote that in today’s times fasting is no longer obligatory and is only a custom? Is there any truth to this? Answer: While this may be theoretically accurate, it is practically false, and all Torah observant Jews are obligated to fast by […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Is fasting today optional or obligatory?
Question: [Thursday, 17th Tamuz, 5783] I heard someone quote that in today’s times fasting is no longer obligatory and is only a custom? Is there any truth to this? Answer: While this may be theoretically accurate, it is practically false, and all Torah observant Jews are obligated to fast by […]
Summary of Miseches Kiddushin Sugya of Kibbud Av Vaeim
Summary of Miseches Kiddushin Sugya of Kibbud Av Vaeim Talmud Kiddushin 30b-32a Kiddushin 30b 1. Is a woman obligated to honor her father and mother: Both men and women are equally obligated to honor and fear their father and mother. This is learned from the verse “Ish Imo Veaviv […]
Sister-Honoring one’s older sister
Sister-Honoring one’s older sister:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that a person is not obligated in the honor of his older sister even if she is the firstborn. Nonetheless, even according to this opinion, he should show her extra respect and not talk before she does. However, other Poskim[3] rule that one […]
Stepfather and Stepmother-Honoring the spouse of one’s parent
Stepfather and Stepmother-Honoring the spouse of one’s parent:[1] Father’s wife: A person is [Biblically[2]] obligated to honor his father’s wife even though she is not his mother [i.e., stepmother].[3] This applies so long as one’s father is alive, as explained below. [The child is obligated to honor his stepmother with […]
Children who do not get along with their parents
Children who do not get along with their parents: A. Narcissistic parents-May one distance himself from his parents if they have bad character traits and cause him much pain?[1] Yes. It is permitted for a son or daughter to distance themselves from their parent if the parent is of bad […]
Shoteh-How to honor a parent who is old, or mentally incapacitated; institutionalizing a parent, old age homes
Shoteh-How to honor a parent who is old, or mentally incapacitated; institutionalizing a parent, old age homes: A. Dealing with a parent who has lost their mind:[1] If a person’s father or mother has lost their mind, the child needs to try to treat them and act with them in […]
Parent is a Rasha-Must one honor a parent who is a Rasha?
Parent is a Rasha-Must one honor a parent who is a Rasha?[1] The dispute: Some Poskim[2] rule that one is obligated to honor and fear his father [and mother] even if his father [or mother] is a [habitual] Rasha and big Baal Aveiros [i.e. transgressor].[3] Other Poskim[4], however, rule that […]
Must a child who grew up not observant and became a Baal Teshuvah honor his parents who are not religious?
Q&A Must a child who grew up not observant and became a Baal Teshuvah honor his parents who are not religious? Yes, as explained above. Furthermore, even according to the opinions above who are lenient, one must still show them the respect that is accepted within secular culture and may […]
Adopted children honoring parents
Adopted children honoring parents:[1] A. Adoptive Parents-Is an adopted child obligated in the laws of Kibbud Av Vaeim towards his adoptive parents?[2] Although a person who adopts an orphan is considered like one who has given birth to him[3], nonetheless, a child who was adopted is not obligated in the […]
