1
R. Jose then said: ‘The succeeding verses are to be taken in their literal meaning, but some remarks may be made on the verse: THOU SHALT RISE UP BEFORE THE HOARY HEAD, AND HONOUR THE FACE OF AN OLD MAN. The “hoary head” refers to the Torah, and a man should rise before the Scroll of the Torah. When R. Hamnuna the Elder saw a Scroll of the Law, he used to rise and say, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head”. Similarly a man should rise before a man of learning, because he exhibits the holy supernal image and is emblematic of the supernal Priest.
2
Further we may derive from the verse the lesson that we should rise up to do good deeds before old age comes upon us; for there is not much credit to a man in doing this when he is old and cannot do evil any more; but it is an honour to him if he is good while still in his prime.’