A Neglected Mitzvah

It is the easiest mitzvah to perform, and yet it is one of the most overlooked. The Torah (as recorded in this week’s parsha) obligates us to stand for elderly individuals, מִפְּנֵי שֵׂיבָה תָּקוּם (Vayikra 19:32). Yet, even many Jews who are otherwise scrupulously observant neglect to fulfill this mitzvah.

The neglect of this mitzvah became painfully apparent at a wedding several years ago. The audience rose for the arrival of the chatan and kallah at the chuppah. However, only Rav Benjamin Yudin stood when the grandparents entered the room! Standing for a chatan and kallah is, at best, a custom, but the standing for older people is a Torah obligation. Why does everyone fulfill the minhag, and only Rav Yudin fulfills the Torah law, I wondered? I resolved from that moment to follow the proper example set by Rav Yudin.

Unfortunately, overlooking the mitzvah to stand for elders is not a new phenomenon. The neglect persists both in the Sephardic and the Ashkenazi communities. The Radbaz (Teshuvot 8:167) in 16th-century Egypt and the Aruch Hashulchan (Yoreh De’ah 244:10) in 19th-century Lithuania bemoan this neglect and try to defend the practice.

How Many Challenges They Endured!

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 244:1) rules that one must stand for those above the age of 70. Seventy is defined as the age of שֵׂיבָה, as stated in the Mishna (Avot 5:21). The Shulchan Aruch clarifies that we stand for anyone over the age of 70, provided they are not a rasha (evildoer).

The source for this ruling is a dramatic statement made by the great Rabi Yochanan (Kiddushin 33a). The Gemara recounts that Rabi Yochanan stood for every older individual, Jewish or non-Jewish. Rabi Yochanan exclaimed, “How many challenges they must have endured!”

Rashi explains, “How many tzarot (difficulties) they endured and how many miracles they experienced.” What precious insights Rashi communicates! Rashi teaches that tzarot are inevitable. Everyone experiences them. Often we are shocked when we encounter a difficult situation. Tzarot should not happen, we think. Rashi teaches us otherwise. Ramban (Shemot 20:16) similarly observes that everyone experiences nisyonot (challenges and tests).

Rashi also alerts us that we all encounter miracles. How else could we overcome our tzarot? We might not notice miracles, but they are ubiquitous. Our task is to recognize the miracles!

For this reason we rise for any human being over the age of seventy. My son Binyamin explains that any human being who has lived 70 years is a testament to Hashem’s miraculous intervention. Anyone who lives to the age of 70 has done so only due to Hashem’s involvement. Thus, when one stands for someone over 70, he not only honors the person, he also honors Hashem.

Parameters of the Mitzvah

Rav Ovadia Yosef (Teshuvot Yechave Da’at 3:70) rules that one should stand for an older individual even if one is unsure if they are over seventy. In such a case, we apply the principle of safek m’d’oraita l’chumra, to act strictly in case of doubt regarding a Torah law. Although the rule of chazaka (presuming the status quo in the absence of evidence to the contrary) leads us to assume that he/she has not reached the age of 70, Rav Ovadia rules that the rule of safek m’d’Oraita l’chumra outweighs the principle of chazaka. Both Rav Shlomo Amar and Rav Hershel Schachter told me they support Chacham Ovadia’s conclusion.

Some people over 70 are irritated by us standing for them. Rav Schachter told me that one should not rise in such a situation.

Both Rav Amar and Rav Schachter both told me a congregational rabbi should rise for congregants over the age of 70.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

There is a pervasive feeling in the community that the current crisis demands a spiritual response. Many have commented that one should never “waste a crisis,” especially one of this unprecedented magnitude.

A response to the devastating loss of so many of our elderly is proper fulfillment of מִפְּנֵי שֵׂיבָה תָּקוּם. When respect for elders is lacking, the Torah responds by calling for esteem for those 70 or above.

We have a historical opportunity to revive proper adherence to a long-neglected mitzvah that is so easy to fulfill and reaps plentiful benefits. Older individuals feel appreciated, and younger people feel good when showing respect. It is such an easy mitzvah to fulfill. Let us make sure Rav Yudin is not the only one who stands for our elders.

Hashem truly loves us. He presents us with an incredibly easy mitzvah to fulfill. Let us take full advantage and reap its manifold benefits.

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck. He also serves as a rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a dayan on the Beth Din of Elizabeth.