How do we pass our values onto our children?
In Parshat Eikev Moses outlines the imperative for the Israelites to follow God’s law. Moses utters the words that became preserved in our prayer V’ahavta. “Impress these, My words upon your heart and your soul and bind them as a sign on your hands and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead (the instructions for tfillin). And teach them to your children- reciting them at home and when on your way, when you lie down and when you rise.” (Deut 11:18-19)
Moses provides the blueprint for passing on what is important to the next generation. Whatever it is that is impressed upon your heart and mind; whatever you teach to your children when you are home and when you are out, when you awake and when you sleep, will be what they learn.
What do you want to pass onto the generations after you? How will you pass it on to them?
– Rabbi Avi Fine