Knock Before Entering

Knocking before Entering

 

The Gemarah says that one of the behaviors Hashem “hates” is walking into our own home without informing the people inside that we are about to enter. It is appropriate to knock on the door or give any other type of advance notice (e.g. calling or texting) before entering . If we should not walk into our own home without notice, how much more so before entering another’s home! The Shalah says that Noach did not go into the teivah until Hashem told him, “Boi el hateiva”, “Come into the teivah,” because he did not want to walk in until he received explicit permission. In another place, the Gemarah speaks of a difference of opinion regarding a person who knocks on another’s door and is told, “Yes,” whether it means “Yes, come in,” or “Yes, wait there and I’ll come out to speak with you.” According to the Rambam, it means the latter. Therefore, we should not enter another’s home until express permission is granted.

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Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.