DEUT171 You know, my son, that the Creator did not specify a recompense for any of the Ten Commandments except for honoring parents. Length of days and happiness were the appointed reward of obedience. For the Torah says (this verse) and in the Prophecies, God asks of Israel: "If I then be a father, where is My honor?" (Malachi 1:6). ... Judah ibn Tibbon "Ethical Will"

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DEUT172 It was taught: R. Yaakov says: There is no reward for a mitzvah in this world, there being no mitzvah in the Torah whose reward is made explicit, which is not dependent upon the resurrection [i.e., the world to come]. In respect to the honoring of parents it is written: "so that your days be lengthened, and so that it be good for you." In respect to the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird, it is written (Deuteronomy 22:7): "so that it be good for you and your days be lengthened." Now in the instance of one who was told by his father: "Go up to that promontory and bring me some pigeons," and who, accordingly, went up and sent away the mother bird and took the fledglings [as per the mitzvah], and yet, upon returning, fell and was killed -- where is his good and his length of days! It must be, then, [that this verse is to be understood as]: "So that it be good for you" -- in the world that is entirely good [i.e., the world to come]; and: "so that your days be lengthened" -- in the world that is entirely long [i.e., eternal] (Kiddushin 39b)

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DEUT173 It was taught: The honoring of parents is one of those mitzvoth whose fruits one eats in this world and whose stock remains for the world to come, it being written: "so that your days be lengthened, and so that it be good for you" (Kiddushin 40a)

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DEUT174 R. Avin said: Now if in respect to that which is like the repayment of a debt [i.e., honoring one's parents] it is written: "so that your days be lengthened and so that it be good for you," that [mitzvah] which requires expenditure and the risking of one's life, how much more so! (Yerushalmi Kiddushin 1:7)

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DEUT175 See [[EXOD684]] Exodus 22:23 your OXFORD 39

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DEUT176 Honor of parents brings many rewards. The biblical command to honor one's parents is coupled with the promise "that thy days may be long and that it may go well with thee" [this verse]. A similar comprehensive reward was promised to those who observe all of God's statutes and Commandments (Deuteronomy 4:40). The reward for parental honor was thus equated with the reward in store for those who observe the Torah in its entirety. Ben Sira (second cent. B.C.E.) listed several other rewards granted to those who honor their parents. "Whosoever honors his father makes an atonement for his sins" (Ecclus. 3:3). This doctrine is not repeated in rabbinic sources. Nevertheless, it might have served as an added incentive for the strict observance of the fifth commandment. Ben Sara listed an additional reward for parental honor. "Whosoever honors his father shall have joy of his own children, and when he makes his prayers, he shall be heard" (Ecclus. 3:5). This particular reward is not grounded in theology but is, rather, based on an educational principle. The example set by a son who honors his parents will be dutifully followed by his own children, who will honor him in turn. Thus they will bring him much joy.

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DEUT177 See [[EXOD441]] Exodus 20:13 adultery DORFF-RUTTENBERG 20-1

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DEUT178 See [[LEV835]] Leviticus 20:10 adultery DORFFLOV 87-8

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DEUT179 See [[DEUT848]] Deuteronomy 16:20 justice DORFFDRAG 114-5

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DEUT180 See [[EXOD542]] Exodus 21:12 death OXFORD 480

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