I’ll give you a head start: next weekend is Father’s Day. If you’re like me, you’ll probably receive some funny cards from your family, likely some breakfast in bed, and maybe you’ll even be permitted to take an extra-long nap on Sunday. It’s simple and doesn’t require too much effort, but it’s the trifecta for me.
Of course, our parents deserve our respect all the time, but it’s nice that the calendar reminds us of it every now and again. Judaism also requires us to respect our parents. In fact, it’s the fifth of the Ten Commandments. But sometimes we still need reminders, and this past year was a stark reminder of how we ought to honor and respect our parents as often as possible.
During the pandemic, our parents and grandparents suffered the most. They were the most vulnerable to contracting COVID and then succumbing to its devastating effects. And even if they were able to avoid it, often the quarantining caused loneliness and depression.
So as we celebrate Father’s Day next weekend, remember that it is our duty to take care of our parents and grandparents, to protect them and keep them safe. And every once in a while, it’s nice to give them a funny card too.