The Akeida (Binding of Isaac) is one of the most challenging stories of the Bible. It is a central Torah reading on Rosh Hashanah, it poses complex philosophical and theological questions, has been a dramatic artistic visual, and above all evokes much feelings and emotion. I always wondered why the Torah relates the story in a matter-of-fact fashion, with little indication of the tremendous inner emotion and turmoil of such a story. Later liturgy does retell the story with added inflection and drama, but not the original Torah text. Aside for one phrase, which is repeated twice in the story: “And they (Abraham and Isaac) walked together.”

Think about that phrase. Imagine an older Abraham and a younger Isaac. One with a slower gait, the other with a faster pace. And imagine the weight of their thoughts, each in their own space, each playing a different role. Yet, father and son walked together.

It’s Homecoming/Family Weekend at UAlbany and there are many parents here tonight celebrating Shabbos with us. Students and parents are often in different worlds. They have different tastes in music, watch different shows, use different forms and styles of communication. Sometime parents say things in front of friends that make their kids cringe. Technology and the accelerated changes in today’s society make these differences all the more pronounced. Yet, despite whatever differences, it is important that parents and children continue to walk together.

This reminds me of a story that my grandfather, the Chassid Reb Moshe Rubin would say:

Once the Rebbe Rashab (the 5th Rebbe of Chabad) and his son R’ Yosef Yitzchak (later to become the 6th Rebbe of Chabad) visited an art museum. They saw a painting of the Jews crossing the Sea after the Exodus from Egypt which depicted the children fearfully clinging to the robes of their parents as the sea split around them. R’ Yosef Yitzchak asked his father, “But doesn’t the verse say that the Jews crossed the sea with outstretched arms, joyous and proud? Why the fear?”

His father replied, “You are right, that’s how we understand the verse. But the artist saw it differently, and we can learn something from that, too. Children clinging to their elders, and parents holding onto their children teaches us the importance of generations staying connected. Children must hold onto their parents, and parents should hold onto their children.”

Like Abraham and Isaac, who walked together.