Shalom, Mitspacha!
Prohibition of Striking Parents
“And he who strikes his father or his mother shall certainly be put to death.”
- Shemot (Exodus) 21:15
“And he who curses his father or his mother shall certainly be put to death.”
- Shemot (Exodus) 21:17
“Everyone of you shall fear his mother and his father, and you shall guard My Shabbats. I am YHVH your Elohim.”
- Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 19:3
YHVH's Torah establishes a serious boundary against violence and contempt toward parents. The prohibition against striking one's father or mother protects the dignity of the parental relationship and demonstrates that authority within the family is not to be treated with violence.
The Torah places this command within a broader framework of reverence. To fear or reverence one's parents does not mean treating them as infallible or obeying them when their demands conflict with YHVH's commands. It means recognising the honour due to them while remaining subject to YHVH's higher authority.
The severity of the Torah's penalty also demonstrates how seriously violent rebellion within the family was regarded in the covenant community. Parents were not to be assaulted, and family relationships were not to become places where violence was tolerated or normalised.
Physical strength must never become an excuse for violence against those who raised us. When anger takes control, a person can cross boundaries that should never be crossed, causing harm that may affect a family for generations.
YHVH calls us to exercise self-control even when relationships are difficult. Honouring parents does not require pretending that every family relationship is healthy or that every parental decision is right. It does require us to reject violence, contempt and revenge.
May we therefore examine how we respond when we are angry, frustrated or in conflict with those closest to us. May we learn to restrain our hands, our words and our impulses, seeking righteous ways to address disagreement without causing harm.
Let us honour the dignity of our parents while remaining faithful to YHVH's authority, and let our homes become places where violence is rejected and self-control, justice and righteousness are practised.
Heavenly Father, YHVH, thank You for teaching us to honour our parents and to reject violence within the family. Help us to control our anger and our actions, especially when we are frustrated, hurt or in disagreement.
Keep us from striking, harming or threatening our parents or anyone entrusted to our care. Give us wisdom to recognise when anger is beginning to control us and strength to step away from violence before harm occurs.
Where family relationships are difficult, give us patience, discernment and self-control. Help us to maintain appropriate honour without compromising Your truth, and teach us to respond to conflict through righteous words and actions rather than violence.
Protect parents and families from abuse and oppression. Bring truth to hidden places of violence, provide protection for those who are vulnerable and raise up people who will intervene wisely when others are in danger.
May our homes reflect Your righteousness, where dignity is protected, violence is rejected and every person is treated with justice and respect.
Baruch YHVH. Emet.
“YHVH bless you and keep you;
YHVH make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
YHVH lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26
Shalom until tomorrow.