Honor Your Father and Mother

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Honor thy Father and Mother. It is as simple as that. Or is it that simple? My father passed away 23 years ago; but I honor him with my life. I am a Jew just like my father was and this is how I honor him. I chant 3 services per day: the Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma'ariv Services and whenever I read my Torah Chumash or my siddur I honor my father. He is the impetus to me for doing my Jewish rituals and contacting my synagogue congregational community. I contact my Jewish community around Jewish Holidays and wish everyone a good time at the holiday. I am part of these communities and I have my father to thank for upholding his Judaism and staying a Jew all my life and all his life. He never wavered and I also stay strong in my religion. I have him to thank as my good example.

 

My phone calls with my Rabbi are so important to me. She told me the perfect way to honor my mother was to honor her for giving me life. Without my mother going through childbirth and childrearing I would not be alive. My mother said she worked at her job to pay for my art education when I was attending college for my BFA. I know she always worked hard and I am thankful that she did this for me. Most of all, I am thankful to Adonai that she is still alive at the age of 87 years. I honor her when we are apart; I think of her fondly with love all the time.

 

Yes, honor your parents: both your  father and mother. Have a fear of their authority and this will help you to fear God; and a love for them will help you to love Adonai.