When to perform Hoshanot

Hi,

There are halachic reasons to put Hoshanot after Hallel and after Musaf. The former is sensible because the lulav is in hand and so one should complete the mitzvot performed with the lulav. The latter is sensible because the Torah reading and Musaf are actual mitzvot, which should precede the custom of Hoshanot. Our custom is to do Hoshanot after Musaf.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:99)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Honoring Parents vs. Studying Torah

Hi,

One who wishes to go study Torah with a certain teacher, because he is certain that he will meet success with that teacher, is not required to listen to a parent who protests due to safety concerns.

Note, though, that the child is separately obligated to take all necessary steps to preserve his life.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 240:25)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Competing imperatives

Hi,

Yesterday we discussed indirect competition between honoring parents and performing other mitzvot, where one must choose which opportunity to fulfill.

In a more direct situation, where a parent tells a child to violate a mitzvah, the child is not permitted to obey. Both child and parents are obligated in awe of Gd.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 240:15; Shach Yoreh Deah 240:17)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Balancing parental honor vs. other mitzvot

Hi,

If honoring one's parents would mean failing to performing a different mitzvah, and the other mitzvah could be performed by other people, then one should take care of honoring his parents.

If the other mitzvah cannot be performed by others, though, and the opportunity for the other mitzvah will be lost if one first takes care of honoring his parents, then one should take care of the other mitzvah first.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 240:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai