Honoring the Older Brother
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Question
I have recently been engaged, with God's help, in the laws of honoring the older brother through a project of 'Beit Midrash LeHakarat HaTov', and now they have presented me with several questions to send to a rabbi for guidance on what to do according to the law. A. Sleeping in the Sukkah - if the sukkah is small and there is room for four beds and a mattress, and there are five sons, should the younger brother sleep on the mattress and not on the bed out of respect for his older brothers? B. Honored place at a wedding - the older brother arrived late to the wedding and all the honored places are taken. Should the younger brother give up his place to his older brother or not? C. Beach chair - if they rented a beach chair and the younger brother carried it along the way, should he let his older brother sit on it? D. Giving a treat - if the younger brother has a treat and wants to give it to someone else, should he give it to his older brother or can he give it to a good friend? If the rabbi can detail what is obligatory to do in the aforementioned cases and what is not obligatory but if done, one will merit a great mitzvah of honoring the older brother. With thanks and respect.
Answer
Hello Rabbi
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Ovadia Fried, shlita
The younger son is obligated to honor his older brothers, but is not obligated to fear them
Therefore: A - B: there is a mitzvah.
C. If the younger brought the chair for himself, there is no mitzvah to give his to his brother. Just as there is no obligation to give gifts to one's father.
D. There is no mitzvah because we have not found that giving gifts is included in the mitzvah of 'honor'.
Source
Azmera LeShimcha, issue 191
However, see in the book 'Kibud Horim' (Pniri) chapter 16, 1, where two distant opinions are brought. Some say one is obligated to honor but not to fear. Others say the entire obligation is only in respect and honor in words.
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