Moshe Warents Presents… The Fifth Commandment

What is the Halacha regarding a son or daughter sitting in their parent’s place?

The Gemora in tractate Kiddushin (31b) teaches us that a son and daughter are obligated to fear their parents. The Gemora asks, what is considered fear? Amongst the listed the Gemora says one should not sit in their place. The idea behind this is to show: I don’t feel myself equal in importance to my parent.

The most common application of this Halacha would be at home, at the table. If a parent sits in a particular place at the table- for example, the father at one end and the mother at the other- and these are their designated, regular places, a son or daughter should not sit there without permission, even when not sitting down to a meal.

If all the chairs are similar, the chair that happens to be at the head can be moved to be used in a different place.

Based on ArtScroll Series My Father My Mother and Me

Good Shabbos, Moshe