Introduction to Negative Mitzvot 315-318:

Prohibitions against Cursing

There may be times when we become so upset with a person that we lose our temper. The Torah teaches us to control ourselves and always guard what comes out of our mouths. We are especially cautioned not to curse anyone.

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Negative Mitzvah 318: It is forbidden to curse parents
Exodus 21:17 "And one that curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death"

This Negative Mitzvah prohibits anyone from cursing his or her parents.

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Negative Mitzvah 319: It is forbidden to injure parents
Exodus 21:15 "And one that hits his father or his mother shall surely be put to death"

This Negative Mitzvah forbids us from injuring or hitting our parents.

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Positive Mitzvah 210: Honoring our Parents
Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother"

We all love our mothers and fathers.

They do so much for us and provide us with all our needs.

Besides all their care for us, we love them simply because they are our parents!

The Torah commands us to do more than just show them our love.

We are commanded to honor and respect them.

We must do all they ask us, whether it be serving them food, giving them clothing or doing other errands.

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Positive Mitzvah 211: Revering our Parents
Leviticus 19:3 "Every man shall revere his mother and father"

We are commanded to revere our parents and regard them with esteem.

Sometimes, we may think that since they love us and we love them, a little talking back or disobedience will be overlooked.

But this is not so.

We can show our reverence by not sitting in our father's chair, by not interrupting our parents when they speak, and by not contradicting their words.

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Every revelation of modern science can be found hidden in the Torah. Even quantum mechanics -- if you understand Torah well enough.

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A parable:

A father answers the questions of his child and they are happy together, in joyful dialogue.

Then the child asks a question, and the father must think deeply -- not just for the answer, but to reach to the essence of this answer so he may bring it to the world of his child. For a long while, the father is quiet. And so, the child becomes anxious and begins to cry. "Father, where are you? Why do you no longer talk to me? Why have you deserted me for your own thoughts?" And then the father begins to speak, but this time it is the deepest core of his mind that flows into the mind and heart of the child. Such a flow that with this the child, too, may become a father. The child is us. The time of silence is now. When the spirit of Man is dark, when the flow gates of Above seem all but sealed, prepare for liberation.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com