Guess That Halacha!

Step-parents

100

Is there a mitzvah to honor stepparents?

Yes

200

Is there a mitzvah to honor stepparents after your biological parent has died?

Yes

300

If your mother and your stepfather ask for a drink of water, whom should you serve first?

Your mother (There is a minority opinion that says in this case your mother and stepfather are equals, because your mother would want you to honor her new husband)

Siblings

100

Should you respect an older brother (sibling) the same way you respect a parent?

Yes, because the extra ו in the word ואת in verse 20:11 is understood as including one's older sibling in this obligation

200

Should the obligation to respect one's older brother whether one's father is alive or dead?

Ramban suggests that the Mitzvah to honor ones older brother is only as long as ones father is alive. Why? Because this mitzvah of honoring our older brother is predicated on the idea that ones father wants us to honor our older brother. Rambam opines one must honor his older brother no matter if their father is alive or not.

300

If you are supposed to regard an older brother the same way as the father, what name should you address him by?

The accepted custom is that it is permitted to call our older brother by his personal name (although not ones father).

Misc

100

If your mother and father ask for a glass of water, whom should you serve first?

Serve your father first because your mother is required to honor your father too.

200

Is a Mamzer (illegimate child) obligated to honor his parents?

Certainly yes if the parents did teshuva and regret their behavior. If the parents of the mamzer did not do teshuva, there is disagreement if the mitzvah of honor applies.

300

Should we assume that this obligation stops with one's parents?

This mitzvah is unique to ones parents. It is a mitzvah to be respectful to all people, though it is only ones parents that one is obligated to honor. Thus this mitzvah to honor parents is in the category of ‘between man and hashem’ while respecting all people is a mitzvah in the category of ‘between man and his fellow man’.

400

If one makes an oath not to honor their parents, is that oath accepted?

The oath is not binding and is void. (Similarly to all oaths that negate a mitzvah, the oath is void).

500

If ones parent is mentally challenged, deaf or mute (can not speak), is the child still obligated?

the obligation to honor them remains.

Misc II

100

If ones parent allows the child not to honor them, i.e. a parent allows their child to address them by their personal name, is this allowed?

It is permitted to address the parent by their personal name.

200

If a person will not honor their parents, for example, if a child does not make sure their parent has food, should the child be forced?

The Jewish court will take action against this non-performing child, take assets away from the child to pay for food.