My “frei” (for the benefit of LKY, that means religiously non-observant) in-laws were extremely respectful and PROUD of their son’s religious observance. They saw how much respect we showed THEM, as well as my parents, who WERE religious. Because we never treated them negatively, and went out of our way to show kovod and love, their appreciation for their grandchildren’s upbringing led them to a greater aprpeciation for religious life in genereal. Though it did not influence them to be frum, it enable them to shep real nachas from the Aleph pluses their grandsons brought home in Gemarah, from my youngest son being the Limudei Kodesh Valedictorian in High School, from the siddur and chumash parties my daughters invited them to, and for every yom tov that my dear father-in-law O”H spent with us after my beloved mother-in-law was gone. You bring kids up to have love and derech eretz for their non-religious Bubby and Zaydy, no matter what. The dividends will be astronomical in teaching them about what a real Yid is supposed to be. Kovod habrios is an important aspect of Kovod HaTorah.
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