Mitzvah #42

Sefer Ha’mitzvos Ha’Katzar (The concise book of mitzvos) By the Chofetz Chaim

This book lists the Torah mitzvos that can be observed today

First Section – the Positive Commandments

42. It is a positive commandment to fear your father and your mother

As it says in Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:3, “A man shall fear his mother and his father.” What is fear? Don’t stand or sit in their place, don’t contradict their words, don’t express a deciding opinion on their words, and don’t call them by their name – during their life or after they pass away – rather say ‘My father, my teacher’. A father and mother are equal when it comes to honoring and fearing them and Scripture equates honoring and fearing them with honoring and fearing G-d. One that transgresses this and does not fear his parents, has disobeyed a positive commandment, unless he did it with their knowledge. Because if a father allows his son not to honor him, then there is no obligation.

This applies in all places and at all times, for men and for women.

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