לרפואת אסתר רות בת נעמי שרה
If you give someone respect, you give them life. The neshama is called כבוד, as in the pasuk למען יזמרך כבוד ולא ידום - In order that my כבוד i.e. my soul, should sing to you and not be silent. If you disrespect someone, then you are killing his or her soul.
If you mistreat your spouse or even your child [as many of us so often do] - you are guilty of [spiritual] manslaughter. Is it any wonder that the rabbis advise one to throw himself into a fiery furnace before embarrassing his fellow human being?!
This is a GREAT way to start the new year - give people more respect and show them how much you value them.
