A Halakhic Peak into the Week
Our Wednesday night class of the past few months, when we have been studying the
laws of honoring and revering our parents, meshed this past Shabbos with parshat Yitro, which is the source for honoring our parents (the mitzvah of mora, reverence, is found in Kedoshim). At our Kiddush Lunch and Learn, we discussed the question of a child’s responsibility to one’s sick or elderly parents when they are unable to care for themselves. We learned that the child obviously has a responsibility to take care of one’s parents, though the financial burden is upon the parents unless they don’t have the wherewithal to pay for what they would need. In such a case, the children would have to expend their own resources. Further, if one child is wealthier than the other(s), then each child should give proportionally what they are able to give.
We also learned that, while the ideal situation would be to bring one’s parents into one’s home, a spouse has the right to say no if he/she feels it is too difficult to have their in-laws live together in their home. This is true even with regard to a visit, though the Rama (the great 16th century Ashkenazi authority) qualifies this to a reasonable request as adjudicated by a beit din, and he adds that if necessary a qualified therapist should come to the home to better understand the situation. If the children cannot bring their parents into their home, the
children would be responsible for getting their parents the necessary living support, whether an aide, nursing home etc. and again if the parents can’t afford it, the financial responsibilities would devolve upon the children.
WoW – Wonderful Women in Judaism
Last week we learned about Henrietta Szold, who was one of the preeminent Jewish leaders of the 20th century. We learned that after receiving a very strong secular and Jewish education
as a child, she became a teacher in the Baltimore public school system, in addition to teaching Jewish studies in a synagogue. She is credited with opening the first adult education night school in the US; this model was then copied by various other cities. In addition, she became one of, if not, the leading publishers and editors of Jewish academic work, becoming the effective editor in chief of the Jewish Publication Society, as well as the American Jewish Yearbook. The Jewish
Theological Seminary made an exception to their rules and accepted her as the first woman enrollee in 1902. She is most famous for herZionist work, becoming one of the most renowned leaders of the Zionist movement, eventually taking a trip to Palestine in 1909. Witnessing the dire situation of the Jews living there, she decided to make Zionism the second half of her life’s work. Similar to other great women we’ve studied from Bruriah to Flora Sassoon to Nechama Leibowitz, she was a trailblazer in a world dominated by men, who focused on action to become a great role model for all.
This week we began our study of Chulda the Prophet (20 points if you've heard of her and know when she lived). Come to class next Thursday at 1 PM to hear the rest of the story.
Class Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82613508291
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