103. Some Things Not to Do

Talmud Torah 5:5

A student is not permitted to refer to his teacher by name, even when not in the teacher’s presence. The student should not mention the same name in the teacher’s presence even if he is referring to someone else with the same name; this is the same rule as he does with a parent. One should refer to them by different names even after they pass away.

A student should not greet his teacher or respond to his teacher’s greeting in the same way that two peers exchange greetings. Rather, he should bow and respectfully say “Shalom aleichem, rebbe” (“Peace be upon you, my teacher”). If his teacher greeted him first, he should reply, “Shalom Aleichem, rebbe u’mori” (“Peace be upon you, my teacher and master”).

Talmud Torah 5:6

A student should not remove his tefillin or recline in his teacher’s presence. One should sit before his teacher as one would before a king. One should not pray in front of his teacher, nor behind him or by his side. It goes without saying that one should not walk by his teacher’s side. One should distance himself somewhat behind his teacher to pray, not standing directly behind him.

One may not enter a bathhouse with his teacher, nor sit in his teacher's place. One may not take a position counter to his teacher in his presence, nor contradict him. One may neither sit nor stand in his teacher’s presence until directed to do so. When departing from one’s teacher, one should not turn his back to him. Rather, one should back away while still facing him.