Sharing Lessons between Generations
Hukkat 5777 / 1 Jul 2017
Good morning and Shabbat shalom. Today’s parashah, parashat Hukkat, begs interpretation, self-connection, and analysis. Hukkat begins with the complex law of the red calf, whose ashes are said to purify those who have come into contact with a corpse. Moving along with the parashah, Miriam dies, on the 10th day of the first month, which results in the loss of water for the whole community. Miriam was gifted a “marvelous well” from Gd due to her devotion to Judaism, that followed the community of Israelites everywhere they went. The well, however, left when Miriam did. The Israelites were very thirsty, and described as beasts, as an allusion to their desperation. Moses begins to be very fed up with the words of Gd and decides to strike a rock to draw water, instead of speaking to it as he is commanded to do. This act of frustration cost Moses his life, for he is sentenced to die in the wilderness because of his betrayal. This does seem a bit harsh to me, but Gd doesn’t mess around. The second major death in the parashah belongs to Aaron. Gd commands Moses and Elezar, the son of Aaron, to bring Aaron to the top of Mount Hor. Aaron passes on his vestments to Elezar, his successor, and dies on the summit of the mountain. At the end of the parashah, Moses is still living, but will never make it to the Promised Land. The generation of the Exodus dies out in this parashah, marking a transition in generations.
Upon reading about this generational switch, I immediately began to think about the differences between our present-day generations. My generation, known as Generation Z, is comprised of anyone born between the mid-90s and early 2000s. A defining characteristic of Generation Z is the relationship that we have with globalism. Today, as a 17 year old girl from Philadelphia, I may have more in common with a global peer than with my own parents. Through the international baccalaureate program that I am a part of at school, I am taking the same classes, doing the same projects and papers, and taking the same exams as any other student in the program, whether they be in India, Senegal, or Germany.
A globalist perspective is one of acceptance and appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity. This is not to say that previous generations have not had this same mindset, but it is to highlight one of the defining characteristics of mine. My high school, the best school in the world, also known to most as Central High School, was named the most diverse public high school in the United States in 2016, which is vastly different from most of the older generation’s experiences. My dad, for example, grew up in northern New Jersey and went to a majority all-white and Christian high school. Obviously, 1980s suburban North Jersey and our modern-day Philadelphia have their differences, but for my generation, the greater sense of connectedness amongst people my age as a result of social media, in many cases, limit these differences to location only.
Being born into a world of technology, with advancements made every day, most teenagers have already made substantial digital footprints. Our culture is online culture, which promotes self-expression, web activism, and a free-flowing current to share personal ideas, opinions, and even what was for lunch today. However, there are many concerns and suspicions that I’ve heard from my elders surrounding this technological revolution. While I recognize that being in-the-present and not “zombified”, as my dad would say, is crucial to success in communication, it is also important to look at the prevalent benefits to the takeover of social media, such as its redefining nature. I find that those older than I, such as my parents and teachers, don’t quite understand why I’m on my phone so much. But similarly, I’ve caught myself thinking the same thing about younger children playing games on their devices. It seems like a never-ending timeline of judgement, but there is definitely pride and spirit in the norms of how everyone has grown up, in their respective worlds.
In my respective world, it’s completely normal for anyone to marry who they wish, as a constitutional right. It’s completely normal for an African American to be President of the United States. It’s completely normal for a woman to run for president, and unfortunately, it’s becoming more normal than not for attacks of terror, and it’s STILL normal for women to be paid less than men for the same job. It’s interesting to me how some things can change and be so progressive, while others stay in the past.
That said, there is plenty to learn from surrounding change, or lack thereof. Each generation has valuable knowledge to exchange. I believe the best way to make change where it is needed is by utilizing the middle bridge between generations, and by using what hasn’t worked in the past as a learning opportunity. Sure, not everyone likes change. I would be lying if I pretended like don’t I hate to walk on a different side of Rittenhouse Square when I walk home from school. Who doesn’t like a routine? Generation Z may be young, with our oldest in their primitive college years, but as the future leaders of our world, we must apply our previous knowledge to our present knowledge, in order to make the most of what is yet to come. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were influential to those who came after them, and so on, and so on, illustrating a cyclic generational exchange of knowledge. One thing that does not and will never change from generation to generation are the texts and laws of Torah. The text itself puts it best: “Soon there will be no Israelites left who have actually stood at Sinai, only Israelites who have heard about it from parents and grandparents.” (880).
Taking all this into consideration, I would like to present a challenge. I challenge everyone, including myself, to not be so quick to judge people by their experiences, whether they have spanned between 3 or 300 years. You might be surprised at what your toddler, mother, neighbor, grandfather, or fifth cousin 7 times removed may know, or understand. Our world is large, but not large enough for nothing valuable to come out of a brief, 5 minute interaction with someone who you would have never expected to have something in common with. Thank you and Shabbat shalom!
Tags: Exodus, Generation Z, teens
