Welcome to Embrace Shabbat.
Parshat Kedoshim begins אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ, you shall respect your mother and father and keep My Shabbat.
Shabbat is the source of all kedusha. In fact, the first mention of the word kodesh in the Torah is in connection to Shabbat- תחילה למקראי קודש. Kedusha means to be separated, uplifted, and set apart, which are all characteristics of Shabbat. Therefore, it is fitting to open the parsha of קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ, the parsha of holiness, with the source of all holiness- Shabbat.
The passuk introducing the mitzvah of Shabbat begins with אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ, respecting one’s parents. What is the connection between the two?
This can be explained on a kabbalistic level. By keeping Shabbat, a person can positively enhance the Gan Eden of their parents or grandparents who have passed away. How?
Shabbat is described as מעין עולם הבא, a microcosm of the World to Come. The World to Come is completely kadosh; it is a world where there is no eating or drinking and everything has a more lofty existence. In this world, Shabbat serves as a form of Olam Haba. Although we eat and drink, all of our mundane activities are uplifted through oneg Shabbat. By keeping Shabbat, which is described as מעין עולם הבא, a person can forge a stronger connection with his parents and grandparents in the Next World; he can honor his ancestors by crowning them and giving them respect through learning, praying, connecting to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and keeping Shabbat properly.
Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky explains the connection between honoring one's parents and Shabbat on a more basic level.
Rav Yaakov was on a long international flight, where he sat next to a secular man in business class. Rav Yaakov’s grandson was constantly visiting him during the flight, waiting on him hand and foot, and serving him nonstop. The secular man noticed how much his grandson was honoring him and was amazed by what was going on. He remarked to Rav Yaakov, “I am lucky if my grandson calls me on Fathers Day! What is your secret?”
Rav Yaakov answered that the secular belief is that man originates from the monkey, and each generation is one step further from being a monkey. Therefore, each succeeding generation is more advanced than the previous generation, as they further away from the simple ape in the evolutionary process. There is no reason why young people should honor old people, as they are way more advanced than their ancestors!
On the other hand, the Torah view is that the previous generations are closer to creation. As time goes on, there is yeridat hadorot- the generations go down and become one step further away from these great events. Our mindset is that the previous generations are superior, because they are closer to holiness and to the Creator. It was for this reason that my grandson gave me so much respect.
When one keeps Shabbat, he testifies to the fact that he believes in the fact that Hashem created the world. He will automatically come to recognize the previous generations as closer to the start of creation, and will therefore find his parents worthy of respect and admiration.
Have a wonderful day and a Shabbat Shalom.