HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein recently gave a psak halacha that parents may not buy an electric bicycle for their children. The rav compares doing so to placing a loaded gun in the child’s hands, stating such parents may become “partners in murder”.
The rav address parents who give in to the demands of a child who wants such a bicycle, explaining they may be viewed as “partners in murder” and held responsible as such. Rav Zilberstein is a member of the Degel Hatorah Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah as well as Mora D’asra of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak.
The rav was quoted by Yated Neeman, asked if parents may buy an electric bicycle for a child or alternatively, to permit a child to ride on one. The rav adds that in response to continued efforts by a child to persuade them to buy the bicycle, they must explain it is comparable to a loaded gun and therefore, out of the question.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
All my kids have guns.
So true! I got hit and knocked to the ground by a 13 or 14 yr old who drove straight into me while riding one of these electric bikes really fast on a sidewalk.
Though I escaped with just a few cuts and scrapes (and torn pants & coat), such a hit could’ve been far worse- even deadly c”v- for an elderly person who’d be unable to brace for a fall.
Parents just don’t realize the danger. I’m so glad that someone is bringing it up.
Da’as Torah! So amazing!
Kids riding their low “pocket bikes” are a danger to themselves, to the pedestrians they might hit, and to the drivers who can’t see them.
Shekoyach, Rav Zilberstein, shlit”a! May you continue to be marbitz Torah and halacha!