n, and in the respect paid to parents by
their children, earthly eyes cannot always see the truth. For instance,
a child may feed his parents on dainties, and yet deserve the punishment
of a disrespectful son; while another may send his father to labor, and
yet deserve reward. How may this be?

A certain man placed dainty food before his father, and bade him eat
thereof. When the father had finished his meal, he said:--

"My son, thou hast prepared for me a most delicious meal. Wherefrom
didst thou obtain these delicacies?"

And the son replied, insultingly:--

"Eat as the dogs do, old man, without asking questions."

That son inherited the punishment of disrespect.

A certain man, a miller, had a father living with him, at the time when
all people not working for themselves were obliged to labor a certain
number of days for the government. When it came near the time when this
service would be required of the old man, his son said to him, "Go thou
and labor for me in the mill, and I will go and work for the
government."

He said this because they who labored for the government were beaten if
their work proved unsatisfactory, and he thought "it is better for me to
run the chance of being beaten than to allow my father to risk it."
Therefore, he deserved the reward of the son who "honors his father."

Rabbi Chiyah asserted that God preferred honor shown to parents, to that
displayed toward Himself. "It is written," said he, "'Honor the Lord
from thy wealth.' How? Through charity, good deeds, putting the mezuzah
upon thy doorposts, making a tabernacle for thyself during Succoth,
etc.; all this if thou art able. If thou art poor the omission is not
counted a sin or a neglect. But it is written, 'Honor thy father and thy
mother,' and the duty is demanded alike of rich and poor; aye, even
shouldst thou be obliged to beg for them from door to door."

Rabbi Abahu said, "Abini, my son, hath obeyed this precept even as it
should be observed."

Abini had five children, but he would not allow any of them to open the
door for their grandfather, or attend to his wants when he himself was
at home. Even as he desired them in their lives to honor him, so he paid
respect to his father. Upon one occasion his father asked him for a
glass of water. While he was procuring it the old man fell asleep, and
Abini, re-entering the room, stood by his father's side with the glass
in his hand until the latter awoke.

"What is fear?" and