One way is through the proper handling of tradition. Tradition honors the past by giving it a voice in the present. We must live in the present, but proper traditions ensure that the past does not become irrelevant or merely antiquarian. In our time of intense and rapid change, it takes effort to maintain Jewish tradition, but the effort is worthwhile. It frees us from our isolation, and grants us membership in a community that spans time as well as distance.
Tradition invites the wisdom of the past into our lives.
Thus, for example, it provides specific ways to celebrate Shabbat or Passover, rounding out the picture given in Scripture with rituals, songs, menus, and customs. Tradition also grants a new perspective on the issues of the day, so that our thinking is not one-dimensional and subject to the latest trends, but informed by the collective experience of our people. Traditions are flexible and will always need adaptation to new circumstances. The question is how we adapt tradition. When we treat the past with respect, we can address the present with flexibility and energy.