Question
Must a parent be honored even if he behaves improperly?
Answer
Parents are not allowed to abuse their children (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 240:19-20), but they must be honored even if they behave offensively (240:3) unless their behavior becomes unbearable (240:10). A child is allowed to stop a parent from doing damage to him/her, and can bring the parent to court for doing it (240:8). A child doesn’t have to obey if told by a parent to do something wrong (240:15), and if a parent is doing something wrong, the child should point it out (240:11).