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Why does the Torah (תורה) switch the order of parents in different contexts - 'honor father and mother' versus 'revere mother and father'? The shiur develops that this switching teaches us to base kavod and yirah on recognizing parents as shutfin b'adam (partners in creation), not on natural feelings. We must cultivate emotions based on what's objectively right, rather than determining what's right based on how we naturally feel.
This shiur analyzes the Torah (תורה)'s switching of father and mother's order in different contexts - 'honor your father and mother' versus 'each person shall revere his mother and father.' The Gemara (גמרא) in Kiddushin explains that naturally, a child fears his father more than his mother, while honoring (kavod) his mother more than his father due to the mother's gentler nature and acts of kindness. Therefore, the Torah places the less natural tendency first in each case. The shiur explores various interpretations of this switching. The Maharal suggests it's a matter of zerizus (alacrity) - the Torah emphasizes whichever mitzvah (מצוה) is more difficult due to going against natural tendencies. However, the speaker questions this approach, noting that the Gemara doesn't suggest a lack of respect for fathers or reverence for mothers, but rather degrees of natural inclination.
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Parshas Kedoshim - reverence and honor of parents
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