When we think about the Jewish legacy we hope to leave our grandchildren, recipes, holidays, rituals, and family traditions often come to mind. They are beautiful expressions of who we are and where we come from.
But what are they ultimately pointing toward?
If our grandchildren inherit our challah recipe but never experience the One Who Sanctifies the Shabbat, what have we really passed on?
Parashat Eikev invites us to ask a deeper question.
Not simply, What Jewish traditions are we leaving behind?
But, Who is God in our family's story?
Moshe reminds the Jewish people that the next generation did not witness what they had witnessed.
"It was not your children who experienced and saw the discipline of the Lord your God, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm..." (Devarim 11:2)
The generation standing before Moshe had experienced God's presence in extraordinary ways. Their children had not.
So it became their responsibility to tell the story.
Not only what happened.
But what those moments taught them about who God is.
That challenge has not changed.
Our grandchildren will not experience Judaism exactly as we have. They will face different questions, different opportunities, and different struggles. They cannot inherit our experiences of the Divine. But they can inherit the stories of those experiences.
Where did you encounter God in your own life?
Was it in a moment of unexpected strength? During an answered prayer? Through the courage of parents or grandparents who rebuilt after unimaginable loss? When you held your first grandchild? When you made a difficult decision and felt guided toward what was right?
Those stories may become some of the most precious parts of your Jewish legacy.
Our grandchildren learn about God long before they can articulate theology. They watch how we bless our food, how we speak about life's challenges, how we express gratitude, and whether our Judaism is rooted in love, trust, and joy.
Long before they ask, "Who is God?" they are already learning the answer from us.
How can we share about God?
Joyful. Share one story with your grandchild this week about a time you felt God's presence in your life.
Intentional. Reflect on the image of God that shaped your own childhood. How has it influenced your faith? Is there anything you hope your grandchildren experience differently?
Connection. Ask your grandchild, "When do you feel closest to God?" Listen without correcting or teaching. Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is the space to share.
Wishing you a Shabbat of joyful, intentional connection,
Rabbanit Sharona Hassan
Founder of Grand Plan
Did you listen to the Connecting Jewish Grandparents: The Grand Plan Podcast this week? Please listen, rate, review and share.
You can sponsor a weekly connection email or Connecting Jewish Grandparents podcast episode. Use this learning in honor or memory of someone you love.
A parent. A grandparent. A child.
Whether celebrating a joyous life-cycle event or honoring the memory of those no longer with us, it is a meaningful way to connect the generations and mark a legacy.
