There are only three commandments in the Torah which indicate the reward for performing the mitzvah. One is in the Ten Commandments: "Honour your father and mother...so that your days will be lengthened upon the land that Hashem your G-d gives you." The other two are in this week's Sedra. The first is Shiluach Hakan - sending away the mother bird before taking her young or her eggs "...so that it will be good for you and will prolong your days." The third is at the end of the Sedra "...a perfect and honest weight shall you have, a perfect and honest measure shall you have, so that your days shall be lengthened on the land that Hashem your G-d gives you."

Rashi tells us, concerning this last verse about using honest weights and measures, that if we are not honest, then the consequence is stated in the next verse: Amalek will come against you. Why does it follow that if we are not honest in business that our enemies will attack us? Can you think of a connection?

The answer is that honesty in business is based on "truth" - "emes" - which is one of the attributes of Hashem. If we act honestly, then we are being like G-d, and therefore we attract a close relationship with Hashem, as well as His protection - and long life. Can you use this principle and apply it to honouring parents and sending away the mother bird? Why do these mitzvos also merit "long life"? Try to suggest an answer.

Here is one possible answer: Honouring parents is honouring the three-way relationship between your mother, father, and Hashem - who together created you. When parents give us guidance, teach us midos - good character traits - they are teaching us to be like G-d. So, by honouring our parents, we are also honouring Hashem, and if we are connecting to Hashem, then He will have a stronger relationship with us - and give us long life.

And what about sending away the mother bird? Ramban tells us that if we send away the mother bird, we are acting mercifully, which is one of Hashem's attributes. When we send away the mother bird, we become more G-dlike, and thus come closer to Hashem. As a consequence, we receive Hashem's protection - and long life.

In all three of these commandments, we see a common theme. To be like Hashem, we must act in accordance with His values: a) truth - with weights and measures b) humility - in honouring our parents and c) mercy - sending away the mother bird. If we strive to be like G-d, we will strengthen our relationship with Him, and as a consequence He will grant us long life.