Isaac did not remain permanently estranged from the faith of his father. He struggled to overcome the scars of his terror, to understand the silent anguish of his impervious father and the meaning of that searing event. He returned to remove the debris, which had covered and contaminated the wells, so that he might drink again from their sacred water. But to internalize that legacy, he needed to prune it of its overwrought accretions, to regain its balance and integrity, to make it work for him. The philistines of every generation seek to curb the protean character of a healthy tradition.
Transmission is a dynamic, interactive process governed by both responsiveness and reverence.
The custodians of tradition must feel the pain of the faithful even as they heed the voice of God. Click here to sign up for free membership. If you're already a member, Log In .