Honoring Parents. "Mother's Day".

Why do we honor our parents?

This mitzvah is considered so important that it is one of the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments were given on two tablets. The first tablet are for those laws that deal with a person's relationship with G-d, while the second tablet deals with the laws of human interaction. Surprisingly, the law to honor one's parents are on the first tablet.

Although we have a natural tendency to honor our parents, this tendency can wane depending upon circumstances. When, however, we are reminded that this is a direct command from G-d, we are made to understand that fulfilling this obligation has nothing to do with our personal feelings or experiences. Instead, the idea is reinforced to honor our parents not because of our natural feelings, but because the "Commander in Chief" has so ordained.

There are three partners in the creation of a new life, G-d, the mother and the father. We are required to view our parents not only with love, but with awe as well. We must place our parents upon a pedestal and keep them there.

In Judaism, every day is Mother's Day. We learn that every day has to be a day that we must honor and cherish our parents.

That means that we ought to make an active effort to look after their needs both physical and spiritual, as well as treating them with the utmost respect, whether we agree with them or not.

It is not just a nice or sensible thing to do; it is a direct commandment from G-d!