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 “What is honor?” ask the Rabbis.

Fear thy mother, and thy father by sitting not in their seats and standing not in their places; by paying strict attention to their words and interrupting not their speech.  Be doubly careful not to criticise or judge their arguments or controversies.

Honor thy father and thy mother, by attending to their wants; giving them to eat and to drink; put their raiment upon them, and tie their shoes if they are not able to perform these services for themselves.

Rabbi Eleazer was asked how far honor toward parents should be extended, and he replied:  “Cast all thy wealth into the sea; but trouble not thy father and thy mother.”

Simon, the son of Jochai, said:  “As the reward to those who honor their parents is great, so is the punishment equally great for those who neglect the precept.”

* * * * *

Rabbi Jochanan said, “It is best to study by night, when all is quiet; as it is written, ‘Shout forth praises in the night.’”

Reshbi Lakish said, “Study by day and by night; as it is written, ’Thou shalt meditate therein day and night.’”

Rabbi Chonan, of Zepora said, “The study of the law may be compared to a huge heap of dust that is to be cleared away.  The foolish man says, ’It is impossible that I should be able to remove this immense heap, I will not attempt it;’ but the wise man says, ’I will remove a little to-day, some more to-morrow, and more the day after, and thus in time I shall have removed it all.’

“It is the same with studying the law.  The indolent pupil says, ’It is impossible for me to study the Bible.  Just think of it, fifty chapters in Genesis; sixty-six in Isaiah, one hundred and fifty Psalms, etc.  I cannot do it;’ but the industrious student says, ’I will study six chapters every day, and so in time I shall acquire the whole.’”

In Proverbs 24:7, we find this sentence:  “Wisdom is too high for a fool.”

“Rabbi Jochanan illustrates this verse with an apple depending from the ceiling.  The foolish man says, ’I cannot reach the fruit, it is too high;’ but the wise man says, ’It may be readily obtained by placing one step upon another until thy arm is brought within reach of it.’  The foolish man says, ‘Only a wise man can study the entire law,’ but the wise man replies, ‘It is not incumbent upon thee to acquire the whole.’”

Rabbi Levi illustrates this by a parable.