The mitzvah of honoring one's parents is one of the Ten Commandments. Our sages say (Kiddushin 30b) that there are three "associates" in the creation of man: Hashem and both parents. Whoever honors his parents honors Hashem!

 Rav Yosef was one of the Rabbanim from the Talmudic era. He did not stop studying and performing mitzvot, thus rising in holiness and piety. Rav Yosef was blind (Kiddushin 32b). However, he knew how to recognize his mother's footsteps and as soon as she approached him he stood up and said, "I rise in honor of Hashem, for whoever honors his parents honors Hashem."

            The laws concerning this mitzvah show us its greatness. Indeed, you must never contradict your parents or despise their words, even when it seems difficult and shameful. We have the duty to honor our parents as much as possible. Even when one does not have to listen to one's parents (when their request necessitates transgressing a sin), one must refuse with respect...

Unfortunately, some are not aware of the merit that they can have and neglect this mitzvah. For example, when a girl comes home from school and her mother asks her to buy something from her at the grocery store, she may say, "Yes, I'll go right away, just one minute please Mom..." In the end, the mother has no time to wait and goes alone…

That is not what this girl should have done. She should have stopped at once what she was doing and obeyed her mother. In the same way a boy must stop immediately what he is doing to listen to his father or mother! When one realizes that this mitzvah is a merit for us and not a burden, then it may be done in the best possible way.

            The Ben Ish Chai would recount that one day a child saw his grandfather outside on a winter's day. The old man trembled of cold! The child ran to his father's house and told him what he had seen. The father immediately sent his son to the attic. "You will find in the pile of old clothes a warm coat for my father, your grandfather. The son climbed into the attic and lingered there.

Seeing that his son was not coming down, the father called him: "What are you doing?" The son replied, "I'm cutting the coat. I'll give half to Grandpa, and the other half, I'll keep for when you're old..." The father understood his son's reproach and bought the grandfather a new coat!

The greatest honor for parents is for their child to serve Hashem with devotion and sincerity! He who behaves according to the Torah, honors his parents during their lifetime and after their death!

The mitzvah of honoring one's parents does not stop after their passing. Even those whose parents are no longer alive can honor them by performing the mitzvot. Our sages teach us that when children study Torah, protect themselves from mistakes and perform the Mitzvot, the deceased is protected from divine punishment and receives a great reward!