Mentioning your father whenever relevant as a sign of honor:[1]

A. Asking for a favor in the honor of one’s parent:[2]

If one is in need of a certain matter from another person, such as if someone is in the city and needs to request a favor from someone, then if he knows that they will do so out of respect of his father, then he should request from them to do it out of respect for his father, in order to depend the respect on his father. This applies even if one knows that the individual would be willing to do him the favor due to his own respect [and even if he would be more willing to do it on his behalf then on behalf of the father[3]]. [If, however, one knows that the person will not do him the favor on behalf of his father due to hatred they have towards him, and on his behalf they will do so, then he should specifically not ask for it on behalf of his father, as this would be shaming to his father.[4] Furthermore, even if one is unsure if the individual would do him the favor out of respect for his father, then he may choose to request it in whichever fashion he feels fit, whether out of his own respect or the respect of his father.[5] Furthermore, even if one knows that they would also do the favor on behalf of one’s father, but they would do even more on one’s own behalf, then some Poskim[6] rule that one is not required to ask for the favor out of respect for his father. However, some Poskim[7] rules that even in an area where they do not give extra respect to his father at all, he should nevertheless make the request on behalf of his father. Some Poskim[8] rule that the above law only applies in the event that one is asking for a personal favor from another with saying the words “for my sake,” in which case the law is that he should ask for the favor on behalf of his father. If, however, he is not asking for a personal favor for himself and is making a general request, then he does not have to precede his father’s name. Other Poskim[9], however, are stringent even in such a case.]

Practical application:

1. When speaking to a family friend of one’s parents for the sake of a certain matter of favor or advice, one should introduce himself as the son of his father.
2. If a person needs to excuse himself from a gathering or meeting in order to deal with his own needs and the needs of his father, then he should excuse himself by saying that he is needed by his father rather than his own needs.[10]
3. If a son and father are in middle of eating together and the son is asked to excuse himself for a certain purpose, then he should not tell them that he will delay doing so until he finishes eating, but rather he should depend it on his father and say that he would like to wait until his father finishes eating.[11]

B. Mentioning one’s father when signing one’s name:[12]

Some write that included in the Mitzvah of honoring one’s parents is for one to add his father’s name to his signature. This means that whenever he signs his name he should add also his father’s name, such as “Ploni the son of my father and teacher Almoni.” This especially applies if one’s father is a Torah scholar.

C. Swearing in one’s father’s name:[13]

Some Poskim[14] rule that one who takes an oath should do so on the life of his father, as this shows his care for his father’s life. However, other Poskim[15] rule that on the contrary one should not swear even truthfully on the life of one’s father, as this is not considered honorable towards him.  Certainly, according to all opinions it is a great prohibition to swear falsely or lie in their name.[16]

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[1] See Encyclopedia Talmudit Erech Kibud Av Vaeim Vol. 26 p. 388-390

[2] Michaber 240:6; Tur Y.D. 240; Rambam Mamrim 6:4; Kiddushin 31b “How does one honor his parent in their lifetime? If one is in an area where people respect and honor his father then if he needs from them a favor, he should not request it on behalf of himself, but rather request it out of respect for his father.”; See Pesakim Ueteshuvos 240:24; Encyclopedia Talmudit Erech Kibud Av Vaeim Vol. 26 p. 388-390

Depending a matter on one’s father when he was sent by him on a mission: See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 390 footnotes 271-275

[3] Chayeh Adam 67:5; Implication of Beis Yosef 240 in name of Rabbeinu Yerucham Nesiv 1-4; Implication of Poskim in next footnote

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if one’s honor is considered greater than one’s father then one should specifically ask for the favor on his behalf. [Opinion in Rishon Letziyon 240]

[4] Shach 240:9; Taz 240:8; Levush 240:6; Tur 240; Rashi Kiddushin 31a; Tosafus Riy Hazakein; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 389 footnote 263-264

[5] Shach 240:8; Perisha 240; Chayeh Adam 67:5; See Pesakim Ueteshuvos 240:24 footnote 196; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 389 footnote 269-270

[6] Rishon Letziyon 240; Tosafus Riy Hazakein Kiddushin ibid; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 389 footnote 267-268

[7] Shach 240:9; Taz 240:8; Darkei Moshe 240:4; Beis Yosef 240; Rabbeinu Yerucham Nesiv 1 4:15 in name of Rameh; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 389 footnote 263-264

[8] Nachalas Tzvi 240:6; Aruch Hashulchan 240:23; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 389 footnote 259

[9] Ben Ish Chaiy Shoftim 2:10; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid footnote 260

[10] Semak Mitzvah 50; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 390 footnote 274

[11] Menoras Hamaor Elenkava 4 p. 23; Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 390 footnote 275

[12] Yosef Ometz Dinei Shloshim Veyud Beis Chodesh; Poskim in Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid footnote 261

[13] See Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 390 footnote 276-280

[14] Meiah Shearim Shaar 19

[15] Arizal in Shaar Hamitzvos in name of Ramban; Poskim in Encyclopedia Talmudit ibid p. 390 footnote 278

[16] See Ramban and Tur on Shemos 20:11; Rabbeinu Bechayeh Shemos ibid and in Kad Hakemach Erech Kibud Av Vaeim; Encyclopedia Talmudit Erech Kibud Av Vaeim Vol. 26 p. 378 footnote 100