Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam brings us to the heart of the sacred bond between a talmid and his rebbe, showing us how the honor and awe we must have for our teacher actually surpasses what we owe our own parents. Since a father brings a person into this world, but a rebbe brings his talmid into the life of the World to Come, the halachah demands that we treat our teacher with the utmost reverence in all practical matters, such as returning lost objects, carrying heavy loads, and redeeming captives.
We will also learn the severe spiritual gravity of treating one's rebbe with disrespect. The Rambam warns us, based on the words of Chazal, that disputing, arguing with, complaining against, or even thinking disparagingly of one's primary rebbe is equivalent to doing so against the Shechinah itself. This chapter sets the boundaries for what constitutes disputing a teacher's authority, particularly regarding establishing a house of study or rendering halachic decisions without permission.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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הַחוֹבָה לְכַבֵּד וְלִירָא מֵהָרַב יוֹתֵר מֵאָבִיוHalacha 1 · The Obligation to Honor and Revere One's Torah Teacher Above One's Father
כְּשֵׁםJust asשֶׁאָדָםa personמְצֻוֶּהis commandedבִּכְבוֹדin the honor ofאָבִיוhis fatherוְיִרְאָתוֹand his aweכָּךְsoהוּאheחַיָּבis obligatedבִּכְבוֹדin the honor ofרַבּוֹhis teacherוְיִרְאָתוֹand his aweיֶתֶרmoreמֵאָבִיו.than his fatherשֶׁאָבִיוfor his fatherמְבִיאוֹbrings himלְחַיֵּיto the life ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldהַזֶּהthisוְרַבּוֹand his teacherשֶׁלִּמְּדוֹwho taught himחָכְמָהwisdomמְבִיאוֹbrings himלְחַיֵּיto the life ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldהַבָּא.the comingרָאָהIf he sawאֲבֵדַתthe lost object ofאָבִיוhis fatherוַאֲבֵדַתand the lost object ofרַבּוֹhis teacherשֶׁלofרַבּוֹhis teacherקוֹדֶמֶתtakes precedenceלְשֶׁלto ofאָבִיו.his fatherאָבִיוIf his fatherוְרַבּוֹand his teacherנוֹשְׂאִיםwere carryingבְּמַשָּׂא· a burdenמֵנִיחַhe relievesאֶת—שֶׁלofרַבּוֹhis teacherוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatשֶׁלofאָבִיו.his fatherאָבִיוIf his fatherוְרַבּוֹand his teacherשְׁבוּיִיםwere captivesבַּשִּׁבְיָהin captivityפּוֹדֶהhe redeemsאֶת—רַבּוֹhis teacherוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatפּוֹדֶהhe redeemsאֶת—אָבִיו.his fatherוְאִםand ifהָיָהwasאָבִיוhis fatherתַּלְמִידa Torahחָכָםsageפּוֹדֶהhe redeemsאֶת—אָבִיוhis fatherתְּחִלָּה.firstוְכֵןAnd likewiseאִםifהָיָהwasאָבִיוhis fatherתַּלְמִידa Torahחָכָםsageאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he is notשָׁקוּלequalכְּנֶגֶדagainstרַבּוֹhis teacherמֵשִׁיבhe returnsאֲבֵדָתוֹhis lost objectוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatמֵשִׁיבhe returnsאֲבֵדַתthe lost object ofרַבּוֹ.his teacherוְאֵיןAnd there is notלְךָto youכָּבוֹדhonorגָּדוֹלgreaterמִכְּבוֹדthan the honor ofהָרַבthe teacherוְלֹאand notמוֹרָאaweמִמּוֹרָאthan the awe ofהָרַב.the teacherאָמְרוּThey saidחֲכָמִיםthe SagesמשנהMishnahאבותAvosד4יב12"מוֹרָאThe awe ofרַבָּךְyour teacherכְּמוֹרָאis like the awe ofשָׁמַיִם".HeavenלְפִיכָךְThereforeאָמְרוּthey saidכָּלAnyoneהַחוֹלֵקwho disputesעַלagainstרַבּוֹhis teacherכְּחוֹלֵקis like one who disputesעַלagainstהַשְּׁכִינָהthe Divine Presenceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברNumbersכו26ט9"בְּהַצֹּתָםwhen they contendedעַלagainstה'".HashemוְכָלAnd anyoneהָעוֹשֶׂהwho makesמְרִיבָהa quarrelעִםwithרַבּוֹhis teacherכְּעוֹשֶׂהis like one who makesמְרִיבָהa quarrelעִםwithהַשְּׁכִינָהthe Divine Presenceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברNumbersכ20יג13"אֲשֶׁרwhichרָבוּquarreledבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶת—ה'Hashemוַיִּקָּדֵשׁand He was sanctifiedבָּם".through themוְכָלAnd anyoneהַמִּתְרַעֵםwho complainsעַלagainstרַבּוֹhis teacherכְּמִתְרַעֵםis like one who complainsעַלagainstה'Hashemשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותExodusטז16ח8"לֹאNotעָלֵינוּagainst usתְלֻנֹתֵיכֶםare your complaintsכִּיbutעַלagainstה'".HashemוְכָלAnd anyoneהַמְהַרְהֵרwho harbors doubtsאַחַרafterרַבּוֹhis teacherכְּאִלּוּis as ifמְהַרְהֵרhe harbors doubtsאַחַרafterשְׁכִינָהthe Divine Presenceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברNumbersכא21ה5"וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeהָעָםthe peopleבֵּאלֹהִיםagainst Godוּבְמשֶׁה":and against Moshe
This halacha establishes that the honor and awe due to one's primary Torah teacher exceed that of one's father, because a father brings a child into this world while a teacher brings them into the World to Come.
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הַנְהָגַת הַתַּלְמִיד בִּפְנֵי רַבּוֹ וְאִסּוּר הוֹרָאָהHalacha 2 · The Prohibition of Establishing a House of Study and Ruling Halacha in One's Teacher's Presence
אֵיזֶהוּWho isחוֹלֵקone who disputesעַלagainstרַבּוֹ.his teacherזֶהthisשֶׁקּוֹבֵעַis one who establishesלוֹfor himselfמִדְרָשׁa house of studyוְיוֹשֵׁבand sitsוְדוֹרֵשׁand expoundsוּמְלַמֵּדand teachesשֶׁלֹּאnotבִּרְשׁוּתwith the permission ofרַבּוֹhis teacherוְרַבּוֹand his teacherקַיָּםis aliveוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁרַבּוֹhis teacherבִּמְדִינָהis in a countryאַחֶרֶת.anotherוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלָאָדָםfor a personלְהוֹרוֹתto ruleבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofרַבּוֹhis teacherלְעוֹלָם.foreverוְכָלand anyoneהַמּוֹרֶהwho rulesהֲלָכָהhalachaבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofרַבּוֹhis teacherחַיָּבis liable toמִיתָה:death
This halacha defines what constitutes disputing one's teacher and outlines the strict prohibition against rendering halachic decisions in a teacher's presence or without his permission.
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הוֹרָאָה בִּפְנֵי רַבּוֹ וּמִי שֶׁהִגִּיעַ לְהוֹרָאָהHalacha 3 · Ruling in the Presence of One's Teacher and Who is Fit to Rule
הָיָהIf there wasבֵּינוֹbetween himוּבֵיןandרַבּוֹhis teacherשְׁנֵיםtwelveעָשָׂרtenמִילmilוְשָׁאַלand askedלוֹhimאָדָםa personדְּבַרa matter ofהֲלָכָהhalachaמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהָשִׁיב.to answerוּלְהַפְרִישׁand to separateמִןfromהָאִסּוּרthe prohibitionאֲפִלּוּevenבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofרַבּוֹhis teacherמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהוֹרוֹת.to ruleכֵּיצַד.How soכְּגוֹןFor exampleשֶׁרָאָהthat he sawאָדָםa personעוֹשֶׂהdoingדָּבָרa thingהָאָסוּרthat is forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאnotיָדַעhe knewבְּאִסּוּרוֹof its prohibitionאוֹorמִפְּנֵיbecause ofרִשְׁעוֹhis wickednessיֵשׁthere isלוֹto himלְהַפְרִישׁוֹto separate himוְלוֹמַרand to sayלוֹto himדָּבָרthingזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofרַבּוֹhis teacherוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאnotנָתַןgaveלוֹto himרַבּוֹhis teacherרְשׁוּת.permissionשֶׁכָּלfor anyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isחִלּוּלdesecration ofהַשֵּׁםthe Nameאֵיןwe do notחוֹלְקִיןdivideכָּבוֹדhonorלָרַב.to the teacherבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִים.are saidבְּדָבָרregarding a matterשֶׁנִּקְרָהthat happenedמִקְרֶה.by chanceאֲבָלbutלִקְבֹּעַto establishעַצְמוֹhimselfלְהוֹרָאָהfor rulingוְלֵישֵׁבand to sitוּלְהוֹרוֹתand to ruleלְכָלfor allשׁוֹאֵלwho askאֲפִלּוּeven ifהוּאheבְּסוֹףis at the end ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldוְרַבּוֹand his teacherבְּסוֹףis at the end ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldאָסוּרit is forbiddenלוֹfor himלְהוֹרוֹתto ruleעַדuntilשֶׁיָּמוּתthat diesרַבּוֹhis teacherאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·נָטַלhe tookרְשׁוּתpermissionמֵרַבּוֹ.from his teacherוְלֹאAnd notכָּלeveryמִיoneשֶׁמֵּתwhose diedרַבּוֹhis teacherמֻתָּרis permittedלוֹto himלֵישֵׁבto sitוּלְהוֹרוֹתand to ruleבַּתּוֹרָה.in the Torahאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיָהhe wasתַּלְמִידa studentשֶׁהִגִּיעַwho reachedלְהוֹרָאָה:the level of ruling
This halacha delineates when a student may answer halachic questions, prevent transgressions in his teacher's presence, and the restrictions on establishing oneself as a public halachic authority.
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הָאִסּוּר לְהוֹרוֹת הֲלָכָה לְמִי שֶׁלֹּא הִגִּיעַ לְכָךְ וְהַחִיּוּב עַל מִי שֶׁהִגִּיעַHalacha 4 · The Prohibition of Rendering Halachic Decisions Prematurely and the Obligation of Worthy Sages to Teach
וְכָלAnd anyתַּלְמִידstudentשֶׁלֹּאwho notהִגִּיעַhas reachedלְהוֹרָאָהto render halachic decisionsוּמוֹרֶהand renders halachic decisionsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneרָשָׁעis wickedשׁוֹטֶהfoolishוְגַסand arrogantהָרוּחַ.of spiritוְעָלָיוand upon himנֶאֱמַרit is saidמשליMishleiז7כו26"כִּיforרַבִּיםmanyחֲלָלִיםcorpsesהִפִּילָה"she has cast downוְגוֹ'.etc.וְכֵןAnd likewiseחָכָםa sageשֶׁהִגִּיעַwho has reachedלְהוֹרָאָהto render halachic decisionsוְאֵינוֹand does notמוֹרֶהrender halachic decisionsהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneמוֹנֵעַwithholdsתּוֹרָהTorahוְנוֹתֵןand placesמִכְשׁוֹלוֹתstumbling blocksלִפְנֵיbeforeהָעִוְּרִיםthe blindוְעָלָיוand upon himנֶאֱמַרit is saidמשליMishleiז7כו26"וַעֲצֻמִיםand mightyכָּלare allהֲרֻגֶיהָ".her slainאֵלּוּTheseהַתַּלְמִידִיםthe studentsהַקְּטַנִּיםthe smallשֶׁלֹּאwho notהִרְבּוּhave increasedתּוֹרָהTorahכָּרָאוּיas is properוְהֵםand theyמְבַקְּשִׁיםseekלְהִתְגַּדֵּלto make themselves greatבִּפְנֵיbeforeעַמֵּיthe commonהָאָרֶץpeopleוּבֵיןand amongאַנְשֵׁיthe people ofעִירָםtheir cityוְקוֹפְצִיןand jumpוְיוֹשְׁבִיןand sitבָּרֹאשׁat the headלְדִיןto judgeוּלְהוֹרוֹתand to render halachic decisionsבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלin Israelהֵםtheyהַמַּרְבִּיםare those who increaseהַמַּחֲלֹקֶתthe disputeוְהֵםand theyהַמַּחֲרִיבִיםare those who destroyאֶת—הָעוֹלָםthe worldוְהַמְכַבִּיןand those who extinguishנֵרָהּthe lampשֶׁלofתּוֹרָהTorahוְהַמְחַבְּלִיםand those who ruinכֶּרֶםthe vineyard ofה'Hashemצְבָאוֹת.of Hostsעֲלֵיהֶםupon themאָמַרsaidשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoבְּחָכְמָתוֹin his wisdomשירShirהשיריםHaShirimב2טו15"אֶחֱזוּSeizeלָנוּfor usשׁוּעָלִיםfoxesשׁוּעָלִיםfoxesקְטַנִּיםlittleמְחַבְּלִיםthat ruinכְּרָמִים":vineyards
This halacha warns unqualified students against rendering halachic rulings, while admonishing qualified sages who withhold their knowledge from the community.
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אִסּוּר קְרִיאַת הָרַב בִּשְׁמוֹ וּנְתִינַת שָׁלוֹם לוֹHalacha 5 · The Prohibition of Calling One's Teacher by Name and the Proper Way to Greet Him
וְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלוֹfor himלְתַלְמִידfor a studentלִקְרוֹתto callלְרַבּוֹhis teacherבִּשְׁמוֹby his nameוַאֲפִלּוּand evenשֶׁלֹּאnotבְּפָנָיו.in his presenceוְהוּאand thisשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat it isהַשֵּׁםthe nameפֶּלְאִיunusualשֶׁכָּלthat allהַשּׁוֹמֵעַwho hearיֵדַעwill knowשֶׁהוּאthat he isפְּלוֹנִי.so-and-soוְלֹאand notיַזְכִּירshall he mentionשְׁמוֹhis nameבְּפָנָיוin his presenceוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלִקְרוֹתto callלַאֲחֵרִיםothersשֶׁשְּׁמָםwhose nameכְּשֵׁםis like the name ofרַבּוֹhis teacherכְּדֶרֶךְin the mannerשֶׁעוֹשֶׂהthat he doesבְּשֵׁםwith the name ofאָבִיו.his fatherאֶלָּאratherיְשַׁנֶּהhe shall changeאֶת—שְׁמָםtheir nameאֲפִלּוּevenלְאַחַרafterמוֹתָם.their deathוְלֹאand notיִתֵּןshall he giveשָׁלוֹםgreetingלְרַבּוֹto his teacherאוֹorיַחֲזִירreturnלוֹto himשָׁלוֹםgreetingכְּדֶרֶךְin the mannerשֶׁנּוֹתְנִיםthat they giveלְרֵעִיםto friendsוּמַחֲזִירִיםand returnזֶהthis oneלָזֶה.to that oneאֶלָּאratherשׁוֹחֶהhe bowsלְפָנָיוbefore himוְאוֹמֵרand saysלוֹto himבְּיִרְאָהwith aweוְכָבוֹדand respectשָׁלוֹםpeaceעָלֶיךָbe upon youרַבִּי.my teacherוְאִםand ifנָתַןgaveלוֹto himרַבּוֹhis teacherשָׁלוֹםgreetingיַחֲזִירhe shall returnלוֹto himשָׁלוֹםpeaceעָלֶיךָbe upon youרַבִּיmy teacherוּמוֹרִי:and my master
This halacha outlines the laws of reverence a student must show toward his teacher, including the prohibition of calling him by name and the respectful manner of greeting him.
הל׳ ו
הַנְהָגַת הַתַּלְמִיד בִּפְנֵי רַבּוֹ וּמוֹרָא רַבּוֹHalacha 6 · The Proper Conduct of a Student in the Presence of His Teacher
וְכֵןAnd soלֹאnotיַחֲלֹץhe should removeתְּפִלָּיוhis tefillinלִפְנֵיbeforeרַבּוֹ.his teacherוְלֹאand notיָסֵבhe should reclineאֶלָּאunlessיוֹשֵׁבhe sitsכְּיוֹשֵׁבlike one who sitsלִפְנֵיbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְ.the kingוְלֹאand notיִתְפַּלֵּלhe should prayלֹאnotלִפְנֵיbeforeרַבּוֹhis teacherוְלֹאand notלְאַחַרbehindרַבּוֹhis teacherוְלֹאand notבְּצַדat the side ofרַבּוֹ.his teacherוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁאָסוּרthat it is forbiddenלוֹfor himלְהַלֵּךְto walkבְּצִדּוֹ.at his sideאֶלָּאratherיִתְרַחֵקhe should distance himselfלְאַחַרbehindרַבּוֹhis teacherוְלֹאand notיְהֵאshould he beמְכַוֵּןalignedכְּנֶגֶדdirectlyאֲחוֹרָיוbehind himוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatיִתְפַּלֵּל.he should prayוְלֹאand notיִכָּנֵסhe should enterעִםwithרַבּוֹhis teacherבַּמֶּרְחָץ.into the bathhouseוְלֹאand notיֵשֵׁבhe should sitבִּמְקוֹםin the place ofרַבּוֹ.his teacherוְלֹאand notיַכְרִיעַhe should decide againstדְּבָרָיוhis wordsבְּפָנָיו.in his presenceוְלֹאand notיִסְתֹּרhe should contradictאֶת—דְּבָרָיו.his wordsוְלֹאand notיֵשֵׁבhe should sitלְפָנָיוbefore himעַדuntilשֶׁיֹּאמַרthat he saysלוֹto himשֵׁב.sitוְלֹאand notיַעֲמֹדhe should stand upמִלְּפָנָיוfrom before himעַדuntilשֶׁיֹּאמַרthat he saysלוֹto himעֲמֹדstandאוֹorעַדuntilשֶׁיִּטּלthat he takesרְשׁוּתpermissionלַעֲמֹד.to standוּכְשֶׁיִּפָּטֵרand when he departsמֵרַבּוֹfrom his teacherלֹאnotיַחֲזֹרhe should turnלוֹhis backלַאֲחוֹרָיוto himאֶלָּאratherנִרְתָּעhe backs awayלַאֲחוֹרָיוbackwardsוּפָנָיוand his faceכְּנֶגֶדfacingפָּנָיו:his face
This halacha outlines the strict laws of respect and awe a student must show in the presence of his Torah teacher, comparing the teacher's honor to that of a king.
הל׳ ז
עֲמִידָה מִפְּנֵי רַבּוֹ וְהַקְבָּלַת פָּנָיו בָּרֶגֶלHalacha 7 · Standing Before One's Teacher and Greeting Him on the Festival
וְחַיָּבAnd is obligatedלַעֲמֹדto standמִפְּנֵיbeforeרַבּוֹhis teacherמִשֶּׁיִּרְאֶנּוּfrom when he sees himמֵרָחוֹקfrom afarמְלֹאthe fullness ofעֵינָיוhis eyesעַדuntilשֶׁיִּתְכַּסֶּהhe is hiddenמִמֶּנּוּfrom himוְלֹאand notיִרְאֶהhe seesקוֹמָתוֹhis statureוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְsoיֵשֵׁב.he may sitוְחַיָּבand is obligatedאָדָםa personלְהַקְבִּילto greetפְּנֵיthe face ofרַבּוֹhis teacherבָּרֶגֶל:on the festival
This halacha outlines the requirement to stand in respect of one's Torah teacher and the obligation to visit them during the three pilgrimage festivals.
הל׳ ח
כְּבוֹד הָרַב וְהַשִּׁמּוּשׁ בּוֹHalacha 8 · Honoring One's Teacher and the Services a Student Performs for Him
אֵיןWe do notחוֹלְקִיןaccordכָּבוֹדhonorלְתַלְמִידto a studentבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofרַבּוֹhis teacherאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·דֶּרֶךְit is the way ofרַבּוֹhis teacherלַחֲלֹקto accordלוֹhimכָּבוֹד.honorוְכָלAnd allהַמְּלָאכוֹתthe tasksשֶׁהָעֶבֶדthat a servantעוֹשֶׂהdoesלְרַבּוֹfor his masterתַּלְמִידa studentעוֹשֶׂהdoesלְרַבּוֹ.for his teacherוְאִםAnd ifהָיָהhe wasבְּמָקוֹםin a placeשֶׁאֵיןwhere they do notמַכִּירִיןknowאוֹתוֹhimוְלֹאand notהָיוּwereלוֹto himתְּפִלִּיןtefillinוְחָשׁand he fearedשֶׁמָּאlestיֹאמְרוּthey will sayעֶבֶדa servantהוּאhe isאֵינוֹhe does notנוֹעֵלput onלוֹfor himמִנְעָלוֹhis shoeוְאֵינוֹand he does notחוֹלְצוֹ.remove itוְכָלAnd anyoneהַמּוֹנֵעַwho preventsתַּלְמִידוֹhis studentמִלְּשַׁמְּשׁוֹfrom serving himמוֹנֵעַpreventsמִמֶּנּוּfrom himחֶסֶדkindnessוּפוֹרֵקand removesמִמֶּנּוּfrom himיִרְאַתfear ofשָׁמַיִם.HeavenוְכָלAnd anyתַּלְמִידstudentשֶׁמְּזַלְזֵלwho treats lightlyדָּבָרa matterמִכָּלof any ofכְּבוֹדthe honor ofרַבּוֹhis teacherגּוֹרֵםcausesלַשְּׁכִינָהthe Divine Presenceשֶׁתִּסְתַּלֵּקto departמִיִּשְׂרָאֵל:from Israel
This halacha outlines the requirement for a student to serve his teacher like a servant, with exceptions to avoid being mistaken for a Canaanite slave, and warns of the spiritual severity of withholding service or disrespecting a teacher.
הל׳ ט
כְּבוֹד רַבּוֹ הַמֻּבְהָק וְתַלְמִיד חָבֵר וְדִינֵי קְרִיעָה עֲלֵיהֶםHalacha 9 · The Honor Due to an Outstanding Teacher, a Student-Colleague, and the Laws of Rending Garments Upon Their Passing
רָאָהIf he sawרַבּוֹhis teacherעוֹבֵרtransgressingעַלagainstדִּבְרֵיthe words ofתּוֹרָהTorahאוֹמֵרhe should sayלוֹto himלִמַּדְתָּנוּyou taught usרַבֵּנוּour teacherכָּךְthusוְכָךְ.and thusוְכָלand anyזְמַןtimeשֶׁמַּזְכִּירthat he mentionsשְׁמוּעָהa teachingבְּפָנָיוin his presenceאוֹמֵרhe should sayלוֹto himכָּךְthusלִמַּדְתָּנוּyou taught usרַבֵּנוּ.our teacherוְאַלand let him notיֹאמַרsayדָּבָרa matterשֶׁלֹּאthat notשָׁמַעhe heardמֵרַבּוֹfrom his teacherעַדuntilשֶׁיַּזְכִּירthat he mentionsשֵׁםthe name ofאוֹמְרוֹ.its authorוּכְשֶׁיָּמוּתand when diesרַבּוֹhis teacherקוֹרֵעַhe rendsכָּלallבְּגָדָיוhis garmentsעַדuntilשֶׁהוּאthat heמְגַלֶּהrevealsאֶת—לִבּוֹhis heartוְאֵינוֹand he does notמְאַחֶהmend themלְעוֹלָם.foreverבַּמֶּהin whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare these saidבְּרַבּוֹregarding his teacherמֻבְהָקoutstandingשֶׁלָּמַדwhom he learnedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himרֹבthe majority ofחָכְמָתוֹ.his wisdomאֲבָלbutאִםifלֹאnotלָמַדhe learnedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himרֹבthe majority ofחָכְמָתוֹhis wisdomהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisתַּלְמִידis a studentחָבֵרcolleagueוְאֵינוֹand he is notחַיָּבobligatedבִּכְבוֹדוֹin his honorבְּכָלin allאֵלּוּtheseהַדְּבָרִים.thingsאֲבָלbutעוֹמֵדhe standsמִלְּפָנָיוbefore himוְקוֹרֵעַand rendsעָלָיוover himכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁהוּאthat heקוֹרֵעַrendsעַלoverכָּלallהַמֵּתִיםthe deadשֶׁהוּאwhom heמִתְאַבֵּלmournsעֲלֵיהֶם.over themאֲפִלּוּeven ifלֹאnotלָמַדhe learnedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himאֶלָּאexceptדָּבָרa matterאֶחָדoneבֵּיןwhetherקָטָןsmallבֵּיןwhetherגָּדוֹלgreatעוֹמֵדhe standsמִלְּפָנָיוbefore himוְקוֹרֵעַand rendsעָלָיו:over him
This halacha outlines the respect a student must show his teacher when correcting him, quoting teachings, and mourning his passing, distinguishing between an outstanding teacher and a student-colleague.
הל׳ י
הַנְהָגַת תַּלְמִיד חָכָם בִּפְנֵי מִי שֶׁגָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ בְּחָכְמָהHalacha 10 · The Proper Conduct of a Torah Scholar in the Presence of a Greater Sage
וְכָלAnd everyתַּלְמִידdiscipleחָכָםwiseשֶׁדֵּעוֹתָיוwhose character traitsמְכֻוָּנוֹתare properאֵינוֹdoes notמְדַבֵּרspeakבִּפְנֵיin the presence ofמִיwhoeverשֶׁהוּאthat heגָּדוֹלis greaterמִמֶּנּוּthan himבְּחָכְמָהin wisdomאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notלָמַדhe learnedמִמֶּנּוּfrom himכְּלוּם:anything
This halacha teaches that a student with refined character traits must show respect by not speaking before someone who is greater than him in wisdom, even if he has not personally learned from him.
הל׳ יא
מְחִילַת הָרַב עַל כְּבוֹדוֹ וְחוֹבַת הַתַּלְמִידHalacha 11 · A Teacher Forgoing His Honor and the Student's Remaining Obligation
הָרַבThe teacherהַמֻּבְהָקthe outstandingשֶׁרָצָהwho desiredלִמְחלto forgoעַלonכְּבוֹדוֹhis honorבְּכָלin allהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersהָאֵלּוּtheseאוֹorבְּאֶחָדin oneמֵהֶןof themלְכָלto allתַּלְמִידָיוhis studentsאוֹorלְאֶחָדto oneמֵהֶןof themהָרְשׁוּתthe permissionבְּיָדוֹ.is in his handוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁמָּחַלhe forgaveחַיָּבobligated isהַתַּלְמִידthe studentלְהַדְּרוֹto glorify himוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּשָׁעָהat the timeשֶׁמָּחַל:that he forgave
This halacha teaches that while an outstanding Torah teacher has the authority to forgo the honor due to him, the student must still show him respect even when the teacher waives it.
הל׳ יב
חִיּוּב הָרַב לְכַבֵּד אֶת תַּלְמִידָיו וּלְקָרְבָםHalacha 12 · The Obligation of a Teacher to Honor and Love His Students
כְּשֵׁםJust asשֶׁהַתַּלְמִידִיםthat the studentsחַיָּבִיןare obligatedבִּכְבוֹדin the honor ofהָרַבthe teacherכָּךְsoהָרַבthe teacherצָרִיךְneedsלְכַבֵּדto honorאֶת—תַּלְמִידָיוhis studentsוּלְקָרְבָן.and to draw them closeכָּךְsoאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִיםthe SagesמשנהMishnahאבותAvosד4יב12"יְהִיLet beכְּבוֹדthe honor ofתַּלְמִידְךָyour studentחָבִיבdearעָלֶיךָto youכְּשֶׁלְּךָ".as your ownוְצָרִיךְand needsאָדָםa personלְהִזָּהֵרto be carefulבְּתַלְמִידָיוwith his studentsוּלְאָהֳבָםand to love themשֶׁהֵםfor theyהַבָּנִיםare the sonsהַמְהַנִּיםwho bring pleasureלָעוֹלָםto the worldהַזֶּהthisוְלָעוֹלָםand to the worldהַבָּא:the coming
This halacha outlines the reciprocal duty of honor between a teacher and his students, comparing the students to beloved children.
הל׳ יג
מַעֲלַת הַתַּלְמִידִים וְהַשְׁפָּעָתָם עַל חָכְמַת הָרַבHalacha 13 · The Greatness of Students and Their Influence on the Wisdom of Their Teacher
הַתַּלְמִידִיםThe studentsמוֹסִיפִיןincreaseחָכְמַתthe wisdom ofהָרַבthe teacherוּמַרְחִיבִיןand broadenלִבּוֹ.his heartאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִיםthe SagesהַרְבֵּהMuchחָכְמָהwisdomלָמַדְתִּיI learnedמֵרַבּוֹתַיfrom my teachersוְיוֹתֵרand moreמֵחֲבֵרַיfrom my colleaguesוּמִתַּלְמִידַיand from my studentsיוֹתֵרmoreמִכֻּלָּם.than all of themוּכְשֵׁםAnd just asשֶׁעֵץa piece of woodקָטָןsmallמַדְלִיקignitesאֶת—הַגָּדוֹלthe largeכָּךְsoתַּלְמִידa studentקָטָןsmallמְחַדֵּדsharpensהָרַבthe teacherעַדuntilשֶׁיּוֹצִיאhe brings outמִמֶּנּוּfrom himבִּשְׁאֵלוֹתָיוwith his questionsחָכְמָהwisdomמְפֹאָרָה:glorious
This halacha explains how students sharpen their teacher's mind and increase his wisdom through their questions.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by establishing that a person's primary rebbe—from whom he learned the majority of his Torah wisdom—demands a level of honor and awe that exceeds even that of his father, which manifests in giving the rebbe priority in returning lost items, relieving burdens, and redemption from captivity, unless the father is also a Torah sage. The Rambam then details how any rebellion, controversy, criticism, or complaint against one's rebbe is viewed as a direct rebellion against Hashem. Finally, the halachah defines 'disputing one's teacher' as establishing a house of study to teach and render halachic decisions without receiving explicit permission from one's primary rebbe, whereas a student who is also a colleague is not bound by these same strictures.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Rambam teaches us a fundamental truth about our connection to Torah: a person's relationship with their rebbe is not just a matter of social respect or academic appreciation. It is the very channel through which we connect to the Shechinah. When we treat our rebbe with the utmost awe, standing before him as we would before a king and guarding our speech in his presence, we are training our souls in yiras Shamayim.
This is why the Sages warn so severely against disputing or complaining about one's rebbe. It is not about protecting the teacher's ego; it is about preserving the purity of the chain of mesorah. If we allow ourselves to treat our teachers like peers, arguing with them or acting with familiarity, we break the vessel that carries the light of the Torah into our lives. True growth in Torah requires us to bend our minds and hearts to those who came before us.
Today, make a conscious effort to elevate how you speak about or interact with your rebbe or a local talmid chacham. When mentioning their name, do not just say it casually; add a title of respect like 'Rabbi' or 'my teacher,' and consciously remind yourself that through their wisdom, you are being brought closer to Hashem.