In this weeks Parsha we have the Ten Commandments repeated
The Gmarah in Kiddushin 31A that when Hashem said I am G-d and you shall not have any other G-d the nations of the world said that Hashem is only doing for his own honor. When he said "honor your parents" then the nations agreed that the first commands were true. This is what is meant by Psalms 119 "your begining words are true. The question is , only the begining words are true and not the end. The Gmarah answers : From the end of your words we learn that also the begining words are true

Why did the nations agree to the first commands? The 5th command was honest, but maybe the first ones where given for Hashem's ego?
In my humble opinion, the reason that Hashem gave us Mitzvos is to make us ethical people, and therefore be deserving of reward. It is quite obvious that ethicaly we must honor and do hashem's will, since he created us, and provides us with all we need. Every breath we take, every moment of life is a precious gift. Expecialy, that he gives us the oppertunity to be able to earn the world to come. If we would act against his wishes, we are being highly unethical. When we have children ourselves, and provide them with everything, and they just turn around and spit in our face, besides being personaly offended, you're upset at the kid being a very unethical person. Even if you see him do it to a diferent person who've done him a favor, you'll be angry at him for being a unethical person

That which Hashem said I'm your G-d and you should not have any other gods. It can be looked on in 2 ways. Because it is true, and it would only be the right thing to do. Or, even if it's true, the intention of Hashem was just for his honor. Even when you do something right, if it is done for the wrong reasons, it's wrong. Thus, when Hashem commanded on honoring one's parents, it was clear that Hashem's intent is to do what's right, so it shows on the first commands that the intent was for us to honor Hashem because it's the right thing to do

This answers why we need to praise hashem so much. This is a raly point for heritics. Is Hashem so egotistic that needs so much praise? The answer is, not that he needs praise, but for us to be ethical people, we must show our thanks to Hashem by praising him. If we don't, we are realy undeserving, unethical person.

What we must take out of this ourselves, that we must live ethically with the same consistency as Hashem. For example, we can't hold our children to a higher standered of honoring one's parents, and not honor your own parents to the greatest degree. If you want your children to honor you, because the torah tells us, then you also must be dedicated to the cause. If not, everybody can tell it's for your ego only, and therefore it's wrong even though you are telling them to do something right.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rav Chaim,