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Honoring Parents VS. Keeping Shabbat: What Does the torah Say?

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Hidabroot - Torah & Judaism avatar
Hidabroot - Torah & Judaism

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Recently, I decided to become more observant about keeping Shabbat, but we have a family tradition of driving to my grandparents' house on Friday evening. Now, I want to stop driving so I can properly observe Shabbat. My parents are very upset about my decision and say that I'm not allowed to neglect the mitzvah of honoring my parents for the sake of another mitzvah. What should I do in a situation like this where I want to honor my parents, but also keep Shabbat according to Jewish law? The answer is found in a clear verse in the Torah. It's a verse with the sages ask, "What is the connection between the three parts of the verse?" It says there, "Each person shall revere his mother and his father." That's honoring your parents. "And you shall keep my Sabbaths." "I am Hashem." Faith. What is the connection between the three parts of this verse? The sages explain that the Holy One, blessed be He, says to a person, "Each person shall revere his mother and his father." He must have reverence and respect towards his parents. You have to honor your parents, but that's on the condition that you shall keep my Sabbaths. If the parents tell the child to commit a transgression, like stealing or desecrating Shabbat, whether it's between a person and another person or between a person and God, in that case, he cannot listen to them. The verse concludes, "I am Hashem." I, the Holy One, blessed be He, created both you and your parents, so they cannot command you to go against the words of the Torah. On the other hand, you should do everything you can to avoid confrontation or discomfort with your parents. It's forbidden to desecrate Shabbat, but looking for solutions is allowed.