Hadawar hachamishi  הדּבר החמישׁי

Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which יהוה thy God giveth thee. (2M 20:11(12))

Question:  What does the fifth commandment order us?

Answer: The Fifth Commandment commands children to love their parents and to respect and honour them. Children must provide care to their parents. The obligations that arise from this commandment are: to behave respectfully to parents, to obey parents, to take care for parents, to do everything for the satisfaction of the parents, to fulfil their parents will during their life and after their death. Children should also pray for the health of their parents during their lifetime and for the peace of soul zekher זכר after the death of their parents. They should always strive to be children who are worthy of their parents. The children should make their parents happy during their lives and preserve their memory after their death,

Question:  What else does the fifth commandment order us?

Answer: The term father also means Ruler - the father of subjects, the leaders of tribes and clans are also called fathers. This term also applies to religious leaders:

1. The obligation to respect and love the Ruler, to obey his laws and observe them. To be a loyal subject who is devoted by body and soul.

2. The obligation to behave respectfully and obediently to leaders and guardians of the laws and to honour and respect our leaders.

The Fifth Commandment is confirmed by these passages of Holy Scripture:

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father. (3M 19: 3)

Cursed be he that dishonoureth his father or his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen. (5M 27:16)

Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother. (Proverbs 1: 8)

My son, fear thou יהוה and the king and meddle not with them that are given to change. (Proverbs 24:21)

Righteous lips are the delight of kings and they love him that speaketh right. (Proverbs 16:13)

Thou shalt rise up before the grey head, and honour the face of the old man, and thou shalt fear thy God: I am יהוה. (3M 19:32)