Rav Vosner: Standing Up For The Wife Of A Talmid Chochom
There is a mitzva to stand up for a Talmid Chochom. Chazal tell us that Eishes Chaver KiChaver, the wife of a talmid chochom is like a talmid chochom. Is there an obligation to stand up when she comes into a room?
Rav Vosner (Shevet HaLevi 10:13:7) says that his question is brought down by many acharonim. He boils it down to three shittos. According to one there is a Mitzvas Aseh to stand up for her Min HaTorah and it is Kavod HaTorah. According to another it is a Mitzva MiDiRabbanan. A third opinion is that it is not a Mitzva but a Midas Chasiddus to stand up. The Chida brings that the Arizal said one should not stand up for the wife of a Talmid Chochom.
If her husband dies, Tosfos seems to say that there is no longer a Mitzva. The Taz brings from the Maharam Mintz that there still is a mitzva to stand for her unless she marries an Am HaAretz.
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. One should learn the tshuva to verify the accuracy of our interpretation. Please also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
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