105. To Whom Does This Apply?

Talmud Torah 5:9

If a student sees his teacher violating the Torah, he should say, “You have taught us such-and-such.” When recounting a piece of Torah in his teacher’s presence, one should say, “You taught us the following, rebbe.” One should not recount something he did not hear from his teacher unless he credits the one who said it.

When one’s teacher dies, one should tear his garments all the way down to his heart; these should never be mended.

All this applies to one's primary teacher, from whom he has gained most of his knowledge. If he didn’t learn most of his Torah from him, he need not honor him to this extent. In such a case, one would stand before him and tear his garments upon his death in the same way that one would for any deceased relative for whom he is obligated to mourn. Even if one learned a single thing from a person, whether it’s great or small, he should stand before him and tear his garments upon his passing.

Talmud Torah 5:10

Every scholar with proper character traits will not speak in front of one who is wiser than he is, even if he never learned anything from that person.