DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 9.57 MB)
Is it Permissible to Refer to One’s Father or Rabbi by His Name if He Adds a Title?

The Shach (Rav Shabtai Ha’kohen, 1621-1662), in discussing the laws of respecting Torah scholars (Yoreh De’a 242), writes that it is forbidden to address one’s Rabbi by his first name in his presence even if he adds a title. For example, if one’s Rabbi’s name is "Baruch," he may not refer to him in his presence as "Hacham Baruch." When one is not in his Rabbi’s presence, however, this is permissible. The Shach’s ruling would apply to a parent, as well. If one’s father’s name is Abraham, for example, it is forbidden to refer to him as "Father Abraham" in his presence, but this would be allowed when not in his presence.

Many other Halachic authorities, however, rule more leniently, and permit referring to one’s Rabbi or parent by his name when prefacing the name with a respectful title, even in the presence of the Rabbi or parent. The Kessef Mishneh (commentary to the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah by Rav Yosef Karo, author of the Shulhan Aruch) draws proof from the fact that Yehoshua, the disciple of Moshe Rabbenu, once addressed Moshe by calling to him, "Adoni Moshe" – "My master, Moshe" (Bamidbar 11:28). Apparently, it is permissible to address one’s Rabbi by his name – even in his presence – by prefacing the name with a respectful title, such as "Adoni." This is the ruling of the Peri Hadash (Rav Hizkiya Da Silva, 1659-1698), and this is the position accepted by Hacham Ovadia Yosef. Thus, it is permissible to address one’s Rabbi or one’s parent by his name even in his presence, as long as he uses a respectful title, such as "Rabbi," "Hacham," or "Father."

According to one view (cited by Pit’heh Teshuba, Yoreh De’a 240), if somebody is asked who his father is, he must add a title before mentioning his father’s name – such as "Father" or "Rabbi." However, Hacham Ovadia Yosef draws proof from many passages in the Midrashim that this is not necessary. For example, one passage tells of Moshe Rabbenu identifying himself as "the son of Amram," without saying "the son of my father, Amram." Likewise, Rabban Yohanan Ben Zakai identified himself as "the son of Zakai." Apparently, Hacham Ovadia explains, since one is identifying himself as the child, there is no need to add a respectful title, as it is clear that he intends no disrespect. This is, indeed, Hacham Ovadia’s conclusion, as cited in Yalkut Yosef (Kibbud Ab Va’em, p. 449; listen to audio recording for precise citation).

Summary: It is permissible to refer to one’s father or Rabbi by his name – even in his presence – as long as he adds a respectful title, such as "Rabbi Yosef," or "my father Yosef." If one is asked whose son he is, he may simply state his father’s name, and does not need to add a title.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Succot- If a Person Forgot to Recite the Beracha of “Lesheb Ba’Sukka”
Succot- If Rain Falls on the First Night of Succot
Succot- May One Drink Wine Outside the Sukka?
Succot- Constructing a Sukka in a Public Domain
Decorating the Sukka
Succot- Should a Woman Answer “Amen” to the Beracha of “Lesheb Ba’sukka”?
Succot- Using Arba Minim From Israel After a Shemita Year
Succot- Reciting Two Berachot Before Eating in the Sukka
Succot- How to Conduct Oneself in the Sukka; Which Amounts of Food Require a Sukka
Succot- Holding and Waving the Lulav
The Obligation to Eat Bread on the First Night of Sukkot
Succot- If One Forgot to Add "Ya'aleh Ve'yavo" in Birkat Ha'mazon on the First Night of Sukkot
Succot- Is It Permissible To Hang Photographs of Rabbis In The Succah, and Is It Permissible To Hang Decorations That Were Designated For Holidays of the Goyim
Succot- How A Lefty Should Hold The Lulav and Etrog
Simchat Torah- How To Fulfill The Mitzvah of Shinayim Mikra VeAchad Targum
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found