Timeless Torah

They came from all over the world, seeking, their fortune, their freedom and most important a better life for their children. Towards their end they shared and saved.
For most of us, be it our parents, our bubbies or zaidies, or great-grandparents who made the often perilous trek to America, the dream came true. The luxuries that our ancestors could only dream of have today become accepted as necessity. What they did not have we do; leisure time, retirement plans, the freedom to choose our careers, access top most anywhere in society, vacations, higher education...and the list goes on.
This week's Biblical portion reading parenthetically mentions the laws of inheritance in the verse, "Then it shall be on the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he possesses." The Sages ever aware of each nuance or the text raise two issues.
The Torah phrase, "Then it shall be" derived from the Hebrew word, "V'hayah" always alludes to some joyous event or circumstance about to occur. What is the joy received to in our sentence? The second question centers on the latter phrase, “That which he possesses:” These words seem superfluous. Obviously children can only inherit that which one has, so why mention this phrase?
Perhaps, our reading was prescient? Possibly it addresses the American Jewish community of the last century? What the Torah is trying to convey is the proper attitude on what we should bequeath to our children.
Of course all of our Bubbies and Zaidies pride themselves on being able to give those who follow them more than what they themselves had. Even more remarkable, is that they brought us to a place where they render to us to that which they did not have.
Still, while at this is important, it is crucial that we not forget to give our children that which we did have. Sure, our grandparents who arrived from the old country were filled with love of being Jewish, cherished Jewish values and were knowledgeable about their religion, but was that what they gave over to us? And if they did, are we doing our part in transferring that to our next generation.
The Torah therefore reminds us with "v'hayah" it is worthy to rejoice if one leaves his children that which he possesses - the heritage, culture, religion, feelings of responsibility, love of Torah, a sense of Jewish brotherhood, a yearning for redemption.....
And the list goes on........