At their best, parents, grandparents, and teachers make children feel loved, worthy, and capable. At the same time, they show us that we are part of something far greater than ourselves – a family, a community, the Jewish People, humanity, the Earth, the Cosmos, God.
We want our young son to know that he is special, a unique microcosm of humanity. And we want him to know that there is much in this world that is bigger than he is. When these two concepts are merged effectively, he will, with his one precious life, serve others and serve our shared values. Then his limited existence will indeed be grand.
Life is temporary. Tzedakah is forever.
