Did You Knock?

Many are familiar with the fifth of the Ten Commandments—the mitzvah to honor our father and our mother. Lesser known are Jewish teachings reflecting parental respect toward their children.

The Talmud teaches, Do not enter your house suddenly (in other words, without knocking or saying something. Pesachim 112a). From this we derive that parents should not enter their children’s room without knocking first. In observing this teaching, we demonstrate respect for our children’s privacy.

It’s natural for parents to take liberties with our children. Entering their rooms without knocking first should not be one of them.

— Rabbi David Woznica