Following the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt and the plague of the firstborn, the commandment to sanctify the sons of the firstborn appears at the end of this week's biblical passage. Regarding this, the Torah tells us: "And when your son asks in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' you shall say to him, 'With a mighty hand, God brought us out of Egypt.'" This is the commandment to transmit the message to the members of the next generation as well. The term "in time to come" requires explanation. Why does the Torah deem it necessary to specify when this question from the son will arise? Every time the son asks, he must be answered.
ALL FROM THE BEGINNING
The answer to this question can be found in Rashi's commentary: "There is an immediate tomorrow and there is a tomorrow after a time." As an example, Rashi cites the text in the biblical book of Joshua: "Tomorrow your children will say to ours...""
It tells how, when the conquest of the land of Israel and its distribution among the tribes was completed, the sons of the tribe of Gad and Reuben returned to take possession of their inheritance on the eastern bank of the Jordan, and erected an altar there, explaining that its function is to serve as a reminder for the children who may come to question: what do you have to do with the God of Israel?
In this text, we see that the use of the term "tomorrow" implies the time of a new generation, one that is unaware of what happened to the previous generation and even feels alienated and disconnected from the realities of the generation that came before. This generation needs to be told everything from the beginning and brought closer to the legacy of their predecessors.
THEY ASK TO CLARIFY
This is alluded to in Rashi's words: "There is an immediate tomorrow and a tomorrow after a time." That is to say, this is "the generation of tomorrow," which, despite this, remains "immediate." He feels close to his parents' world, aspires to follow their path, and lives according to their beliefs and faith. He, too, asks about Judaism, since he is a "child" and doesn't know much. But these are questions to clarify matters. He wants to know and understand what is done, how it is done, and why it is done, so that he can fulfill the Torah's directives conscientiously and joyfully. In this case, there is no doubt that his questions should be answered, and the world of Torah Judaism should be explained to him.
ASKING ABOUT BEING A JOKE
But there is also "a tomorrow after a while." It is the "generation of tomorrow" that feels part of another time and another era. This is a generation that has no connection whatsoever with the world of their parents and their way of life, based on their beliefs. Its members are not only the product of disbelief but also feel alienated from Jewish life.
And this is where the Torah tells us something new: even with a "child" like this, since he is "your child," you have the responsibility to answer his questions with love and patience, and bring him under "the wings of the Divine Presence." This child is also a unique child of the Most High, and it is our desire to bring him closer to his Heavenly Father and bring him the light of the Torah.
When attention and love are given to all "children," the "armies of Hashem" are formed, who will soon be truly worthy of entering into true and complete redemption at the hands of Mashiach Tzidkeinu.
Likutei Sichot Volume 31, Page 61