In this week's Torah portion, we read about Jacob's reaction when he heard that his son Joseph was alive, after believing him dead for 22 years. The verse says, "and Jacob's spirit revived.".
Our sages tell us that Jacob only believed that Joseph was alive when he saw that he had not forgotten anything he had studied at home, and that he continued to behave like a Jew in Egypt (the worst place in the world at that time) and after 22 years of being separated from his father.
It is revitalizing and energizing, it gives hope and fills one with enthusiasm to see that their children are on the right path.
It wasn't enough for Joseph to simply be alive. Joseph's true life had to be connected to the traditions and teachings he brought with him to Egypt from his father's house. That is life.
Where did Joseph find the strength to maintain his Judaism intact for so long and so far away? In Jacob's house, Judaism was lived out. And not only that, but it was 100% Judaism, without concessions, without reductions, without compromise.
The story of Joseph is the story of each and every one of us. We are in a strange land, among strange people with strange customs. The only way we can ensure the Judaism of our children and grandchildren is 1) to live Judaism. To be a living example for our children and 2) to live it.
Only in this way can we "revive" the spirit of our Father who is in Heaven and bring the final and complete Redemption quickly in our days.