Develop yourself to the best of your ability
Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Shamua, would say: “The honor of your student should be as precious to you as your own; the honor of your colleague, as the honor of your master; and the honor of your master as your awe of Heaven.”
Pirkei Avot 4:12
How easily we look down on people who are less. Less in their knowledge, less in their money, less in their social status, etc.
We must never forget that every human being is created in the image of G-d and deserves respect for that reason. One person is blessed with money, another with a rich intellect; each soul was created by G-d with his or her peculiarities. To have no respect for another is thus to have disrespect for G-d who created him or her. Every soul is beautiful, good, and has a part of royalty in itself, for every soul G-d Himself created for a specific reason and purpose. Who are we to be disrespectful of that?
To people we perceive as ‘less’ we should give as much respect as we give to ourselves. To people who are ‘more’ we give more respect. We do this, for example, by standing up for them, not eating in front of them, not contradicting them in public, certainly not shaming them, speaking about their good deeds, wise words, etc.
Who deserves respect? Those who respect others!
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources: Article Aish: Honor the person not the money, Article Aish: Giving Honor
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