Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Yitro 5771

In this week's parsha, the entire Jewish nation stands at Mount Sinai as Moshe (Moses) brings down the Ten Commandments. The Commandments are written on two tablets, five mitzvot (commandments) on each. The first tablet contains laws regarding the relationship between people and G-d; the second, laws that regulate the relationship between people. On the first tablet, we find "do not worship other gods"; "do not take G-d's name in vain"; "remember the Sabbath." The second tablet includes "do not steal" and "do not murder." The mitzvah "honor your father and mother" appears as the fifth mitzvah on the first tablet, even though it pertains to a relationship between people.

Why does the mitzvah of honoring parents appear on the first tablet with the laws pertaining to the relationship between people and G-d?

There is a close correlation between the relationship between parents and children and the relationship between people and G-d. The way we parents relate to our children is the same way G-d relates to us. We love our children, care for them and protect them. Our love is constant, unselfish and unconditional. We provide them with a sense of security so that when they find themselves in difficult situations, they know they can count on us – they do not have to weather the storm alone.

The loving way we relate to our children forms the foundation for their relationship with G-d. Lori Palatnik writes on Aish.com: "The all encompassing devotion we get from our parents and transmit to our children gives us just an inkling of what it means to have the same love from G-d." We must teach our children to honor us because it is the only way they can develop a relationship with G-d. Further, we must show gratitude to our parents, and teach our children to be grateful to us, because then they will learn to be thankful to G-d.

How can we parents teach our children to honor us?

If we are fortunate enough to have living parents, our children can learn by observing our behavior. We can honor our children's grandparents by treating them like VIPs, calling them by their rightful names ("Mom" or "Dad" or the equivalent), speaking to them respectfully with a pleasant tone of voice, welcoming them to our home and escorting them out. If our parents are no longer with us, we can continue to honor them through Torah learning, acts of loving-kindness and prayers.


 

No comments:

Post a Comment