Standing before an Elderly Person on the Bus
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Question
I am a pregnant woman and standing on the bus is very difficult for me. If I stand on the bus, I feel weak all day. Am I obligated to give up my seat to an elderly woman, as it is written 'stand up before the gray head,' or does the Torah permit me to sit?
Answer
Hello,
It is important to clarify this matter. The commandment 'stand up before the gray head' does not mean you must stand and give up your seat, but rather to stand in honor of the elderly and then return to your seat.
There is a mitzvah of kindness where a person who is able to stand, and for whom sitting is not essential, should give up their seat to someone who finds it difficult to stand, whether they are disabled, elderly, a small child, a pregnant woman, or a young person with joint pain.
However, if the sacrifice is significant because it is very difficult for you to stand due to your condition, there is no obligation to give up your seat, and even if the elderly woman cannot stand, she can wait for the next bus.