The first time I thought I might become a rabbi was in the shul where I grew up in London. I found myself weeping with joy, at the age of fifteen, during a baby blessing at services. Through a veil of tears, I explained to my mother, between sobs, “It’s just so beautiful, this baby being welcomed into the community by all different ages of people!” Since my mother is probably the one who bestowed on me the characteristic of weeping easily, she took it in her stride. 

There is something magical, though, about seeing young, old, and those in between congregating together. The whole lifecycle is represented, people with wildly differing experiences in one place, different generations bringing various experiences to the central pot, making the communal space richer. Some of my favorite memories are working with folks who are different ages within the same family, sometimes seeing different parts of a family over the years, getting them to appreciate the occasions when they are all together. 

That is why, in this week’s portion, Moses says (Ex.10:9) at the prospect of leaving Egypt, “We will go, as young and old, with our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds; for we must observe The Eternal’s festival.” What life advice can older give to younger? What insight can parents offer other generations? What new way of seeing the world can the young give their so-called sages? This last one is important. We feel comfortable with older giving wisdom to younger but it can and should work both ways. 

As we negotiate the wilderness, let us truly do it together, learning from each other as we go. 

Shabbat Shalom.