Every one of us owns something very valuable, yet we might not even know it exists. It's something easy to give, yet often hard to keep. It's our word of honor - keeping the promises we make and remaining true to our word.

This week's Torah portion teaches us about the different types of promises people make and the importance of being reliable to keep them. God wants us to be the kind of people who say what we mean and mean what we say, and thereby make a good name for ourselves.

http://www.aish.com/tp/pak/fp/48882777.html

STORY

In our story, a boy discovers the value of his word.

"THE WRITING ON THE WALL"

      It had seemed like innocent fun to Jason at the time. The wall behind the school looked like the perfect canvas just waiting to be painted. The boy and his friend Sean aimed their spray cans, and were really getting into it painting their masterpiece on the school wall.

      Suddenly, from out of nowhere came Hank, the school guard, who put a quick end to their fun.

      "Hey, no graffiti allowed!" he yelled, chasing the kids with surprising speed for a man his age.

      Sean managed to slip away, but Jason found himself firmly in the older man's grip, caught literally red handed, with the red spray can still in his hand.

      "Oh no, I'm in BIG trouble!" he panicked as he waited for the guard's next move. Would he bring him to the principal? Would they kick him out of school? His parents were going to be so upset! "Please, Hank, just don't tell my parents," he pleaded. "I'll do anything. I'll pay for the damage, I'll stay after school for a month...."

      Jason prepared for the worst, as he meekly looked up at the red-faced guard, still huffing and puffing from the chase. After what seemed like forever, the man spoke up in a serious, but calm tone of voice. "Listen kid, I won't turn you in, and I'm not gonna make you pay no money..."

      Jason felt total relief.

      "But you gotta give me your word that you'll never, ever do this again!"

      "That's it?" thought Jason, amazed at his good fortune.

      He gratefully nodded his head, as the man loosened the grip on his arm. "I promise," he said softly.

      But as he started to back away, the guard looked him deep in the eye, and said words that sent a chill down Jason's spine. "Don't think you got off easy. Remember, you gave me your word, and a man who doesn't keep his word is not a man."

      Time passed, and the incident was forgotten. Until one day, during summer vacation when Jason, Sean, and another guy were biking around town. They were passing by the school building, when suddenly Sean pulled over to the side of the road. He took a couple of cans of spray paint out of his pack, and turned to Jason with a sly smile.

      "Now's our chance to finish the 'masterpiece' we started last spring." Noticing Jason's uncomfortable look, Sean reassured him. "And don't worry, this time we won't get caught. Nobody's guarding the school now, and just in case, we'll each take turns as lookout. Let's go!"

      The boys rode into the school parking lot, and quickly ducked behind the building. Sure enough, not a soul was around. "Okay, Picasso, you go first. Start writing!" winked Sean, handing Jason a spray can.

      "Why not?" Jason thought. It would be a lot of fun, and there was plenty of other graffiti on the wall already. And there was no way they would get caught.

      The boy picked up the can to spray, but suddenly he felt a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. The vision of old Hank popped into his head, and with it, the guard's solemn words, "You gave me your word, and a man who doesn't keep his word is not a man."

      Jason lowered the can.

      "Hey, c'mon, let's go. We haven't got all day!" prompted Sean, impatiently.

      Jason again took aim. What was the big deal? After all, he promised back then, and now was now. He hesitated. No, he just couldn't do it! He had given his word, and that was worth a lot. It was worth even more than some summer fun.

      "Sorry, Sean" he said, shaking his head and handing him back his can of paint. "I'm out of here. I promised I wouldn't do this, and my word is too good to scribble it away on a wall."

      Jason walked across the parking lot to his bike as his friends got to 'work' on the wall. But as he started to ride off, he again heard old Hank's voice, but this time it wasn't in his head! He turned around to see Sean and his other friend helplessly locked in the big man's grip. The guard had been on duty after all, and this time he was going to report the graffiti! Jason felt bad for his friends, but even more scared for himself. Would he get in trouble too? Especially after last time!

      But the guard seemed to have read Jason's mind, because with a smile, and a wave of the hand, he put the boy at ease. "Don't worry kid. I saw and heard the whole thing. I know it was a struggle for you, but I see in the end, you really are a man of your word."

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QUESTIONS

Ages 3-5

Q. How would you feel if someone asked you to do something you had promised not to do?A. Although we may feel like doing it, especially if it's something fun, still since we promised, we should keep our word and not do it.

Q. How did Jason feel when he found out that Hank had really been watching them?A. He was very glad that he had kept his word, and not sprayed paint on the building, even though he had been tempted.

Ages 6-9

Q. Why should we keep our word?A. More than just being a nice thing to do, how seriously we take our promises shows how seriously we take ourselves. When a person gives his word, he is basically putting his reputation on the line, and by keeping it, he shows that he respects himself, and that will cause others to respect him too.

Q. Does he still need to keep his word if he really meant it when he promised, but then later changed his mind?A. A person's word is a very serious thing, and we should be sure when we promise something, that we're ready to follow through. When we make a commitment, we need to honor it, no matter what, even if we later change our mind.

Ages 10 and Up

Q. Must we literally do everything we say we will?A. It depends. Sometimes we just mention something casually, like 'I'm going shopping today.' This is a plan, not a promise. Although there are some spiritually attuned people who are careful not even to say these types of things lightly, nevertheless, not fulfilling it isn't really a breach of trust. But if we go out of our way to commit ourselves, or promise to do something, it is very important to keep to it, if at all possible.

Q. Let us imagine for a moment that Jason had given in, painted graffiti on the wall and got caught with the others. Would this have been any worse than when he was caught the first time? Why or why not?A. It would have been much worse. The first time, he was doing something that wasn't right, a matter of improper actions. Everybody slips sometimes. But breaking his word, whether he had been caught or not, would be something deeper. It would be showing a lack of trustworthiness, which is a basic character trait that affects all of a person's actions.

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/6-29-2006-100828.asp

The Importance of Keeping One’s WordKeeping one's word is not only important to an individual, the srength of a society's structure is determined by it.

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I recently watched a movie called, "The Promise". So many little truths and realizations jumped out at me that I thought I would share some of them.

In the movie, there wasn’t just one promise made, there were many. And as the movie progressed, I realized that there are often consequences to not keeping one’s word. The damage doesn’t just occur to oneself but also to the people who suffer loss from the broken word or promise.

If someone promises something and does not follow through, then the individual who was counting on and put their faith in that person’s word learns mistrust. That lack of trust may extend beyond the person who broke the promise towards others as well. Following this logic, the health and structure of a society could be affected.

Therefore, the lack of integrity is a double-edged sword. It cuts both the giver and the receiver. The giver of the promise will no longer be trusted and can no longer trade or work with the betrayed based on the strength of that person’s word. Both parties have lost. If the ripples of betrayal extend beyond the two people, many people can be affected.

In the case of a personal relationship, the cost of a broken word is more than just the loss of trust, it includes the inflicting of deep hurt on the person who was mislead. For example, the vows of marriage are supposed to be sacred. The personal and emotional cost for breaking them can be devastating for both parties. If there are others involved, such as children, it can wreak havoc on them as well. Their lives will be disrupted by the break up of the family or at the very least the ensuing cloud of mistrust that exists between the leaders of the household.

In business, a person’s word has to be good. If you cannot keep true to your word, you cannot be trusted and when that happens, how can you continue to conduct commerce? Credit lines will be cut and personal contacts, which are so valuable in the business world, can be lost.

Integrity is important at every level and in every aspect of society. Without integrity the very fabric of a system, unit or society can begin to crumble. Without integrity, what is a human being? A person loses everything through lack of integrity. He loses even respect for himself in the end. When the truth of it dawns on him, he may even begin to believe himself to be worthless.

The solution is to cultivate integrity. Strive to be a good and truthful person.

In fact, integrity is something that has been taught throughout history. It is hinted at everywhere, when you tune into it. Even in modern times the founder of a meditation practice

called Falun Dafa, teaches Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. He must think integrity is important. In fact, one can find the idea and importance of integrity emphasized in many religious teachings throughout every age of man. Don’t the noblest of people hold the idea of integrity as dear?

Integrity is more than just an idea. It is a practical and necessary character trait in order to have any lasting success in this world. True, some can achieve success through a serious lack of integrity, morals and ethics. However, it is like a house built on shifting sand, bound to fall sooner or later.

And if the fall or payment for lack of integrity doesn’t happen in this life, perhaps the payment manifests in a bad way in the next life. Whether you believe in reincarnation or in going to heaven upon death, or that you transcend and survive death in any way shape or form, it seems that it would be hardly worth rejecting integrity in the present.

Even for a person who believes that nothing happens upon death, that life simply ends, the practical aspects of integrity in everyday life are evident. There are rewards in business and personal relationships for acting with integrity, loss of status and pain await those who overlook this virtue. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to cultivate integrity in our daily lives and actions right now?

If we each work on our personal integrity as individuals, we can collectively begin to build a better world and a better society for our children and ourselves. Isn’t that worth striving for?

David Snape writes for All Things Pondered: http://allthingspondered.com He also writes for http://tobeinformed.com - To Be Informed!

By David SnapePublished: 6/30/2006

Prayer: "Dear Lord, thanks for loving us more than we deserve.  Thank you for being a good God and worthy of our praise.  Bless us and help us be people that honor our word.  Praise You for keeping your word for thousands of years!  Forgive us for falling short.  Help us forgive those that haven't kept their word to us.  Thank you for being our perfect example of both integrity and forgiveness.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag (Filipino: Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) is the pledge to the flag of the Philippines. It is one of two national pledges, the other being the Patriotic Oath, which is the Philippine national pledge.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag is recited at flag ceremonies immediately after the Patriotic Oath or, if the Patriotic Oath is not recited, after the national anthem.

The pledge was legalized under Executive Order No. 343, approved by then-President Fidel V. Ramos on Independence Day (June 12), 1996, and subsequently by the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, or Republic Act No. 8491.[1] The law makes no statement of what language the pledge must be recited in, but the pledge is written (and therefore recited) in Filipino.

Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas

Official Version

Ako ay Pilipino Buong katapatang nanunumpa Sa watawat ng Pilipinas At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan Na ipinakikilos ng sambayanang Maka-Diyos, makatao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa.

English translation

I am a Filipino I pledge my allegiance To the flag of the Philippines And to the country it represents With honor, justice and freedom Put in motion by one nation For God, humanity, Nature and Country.

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,aking lupang sinilangan,tahanan ng aking lahi;kinukupkop ako at tinutulunganmaging malakas, masipag, at marangal.Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas,diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang,susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan,tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng mamamayang makabayan;naglilingkod, nag-aaral, at nagdarasalnang buong katapatan.Iaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap,pagsisikapsa bansang Pilipinas[2]

[edit] Original version

Iniibig ko ang PilipinasIto ang aking lupang sinilanganIto ang tahanan ng aking lahiAko'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulunganUpang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabangBilang ganti, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulangSusundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralanTutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batasPaglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatanSisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.[3]

Translation of current Filipino version

I love the Philippines, the land of my birth,The home of my people, it protects me and helps meTo become strong, hardworking and honorable.Because I love the Philippines,I will heed the counsel of my parents,I will obey the rules of my school,I will perform the duties of a patriotic citizen,Serving, studying, and praying faithfully.I will offer my life, dreams, successesTo the Philippine nation.[citation needed]

[edit] Translation of the original version

I love the Philippines. It is the land of my birth; It is the home of my people. It protects me and helps me to be strong, happy and useful. In return, I will heed the counsel of my parents; I will obey the rules of my school; I will perform the duties of a patriotic, law-abiding citizen; I will serve my country unselfishly and faithfully I will be a true Filipino in thought, in word, in deed.[4]