All creation is precious and special.
Honor is giving to others a respect that is due to them either because of age, merit or wisdom. One does not seek to achieve this; rather it is given if it is earned. Honor imbalanced can appears two ways. On one end excessive honor is ingratiating and flattering, whereas at the other end of the spectrum a complete lack of honor shows itself as blatant disregard and rudeness. Those who give honor must do so in the right manner and for the right reasons.
Meditation
Daily Questions
Did you consider the honor of your fellow in all your actions?
Did you rise for someone who is elderly and show honor?
Did you take time to honor someone today for his/her role?
Did you do something without seeking honor? Did you do it privately or publicly?
Do you seek to be given honor?
Do you honor those who serve you, in whatever capacity that is?
Do you seek to honor and help the young?
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Quotables
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." -- Shemot 20:12
"And one should not study Torah or do any good deed for the sake of honor, but only for the sake of the Creator, Blessed be He, and, ultimately, the honor will come." -- The Ways of the Tzadikkim, The Gate of Love, pg 119
Rabbi Eliezer said: "Let the honor of your fellow be as dear to you as your own." -- Avot 2:15
Rabbi Elazar of Modiim said: "If a man profanes things which are sacred, and offends the holidays and puts his fellow to shame publicly, and makes void the covenant of Abraham our father, and teaches meanings in the Torah which are not according to Halachah, even though he has a knowledge of the Torah and good works, he has no share in the world to come." -- Avot 3:15
Ben Zoma said: "Who is wise? He who learns from all men, as it is written (Tehillim 119:99) 'I have gained understanding from all my teachers.'" -- Avot 4:1
"Who is honored? He that honors his fellow men as it is written (I Shmuel 2:30) 'For those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt.' " -- Avot 4:1
Rabbi Yochanan ben Baroka said: "Whoever profanes the name of Heaven in secret will pay the penalty in public, whether it be done accidentally or intentionally." -- Avot 4:5
"So then, whatever you want sons of men to do to you, do the same to them, for this is the Torah and the Prophets." -- Mashiach Yeshua, Matthew 7:12, DHE
"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old." ~Mishlei 20:29
"The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame." ~ Mishlei 3:35
Honor. Throughout the Torah, the idea of honoring one another is a common thread. The concept of loving Hashem with all your heart, soul, and strength eminates from the Shema and reverberates in the mitzvot.