Choosing the correct blessing is quite an art. We learn this from this week's Torah portion and from the blessings that Isaac conferred upon his sons Esau and Jacob. Nothing is more meaningful than when a parent confers a blessing upon his or her children. We are acting as G-d's partner in the life and development of that child. When we place both hands on the head of our child, we signify that the blessing we are conveying is with complete love and generosity of spirit. Isaac's blessing of his sons is an important chapter in the relationship of every parent and child. What is a blessing? The word brachah (blessing) is derived from the Hebrew word braychah, which is a well. Man is linked with the Divine Source of life. He draws from the fountain of life and if the water is untainted (his life is pure and clean), then the water flows endlessly. There is a living companionship with Hashem, which never ceases.

How do we aim to keep our lives pure and clean? We must be aware of the influences that our surroundings can have upon us. Whether it is our school, friends, the office, or even our home, we must always endeavor to keep our environment constantly pure. We should never be fooled into thinking that a bad environment will not affect us. It will, and it will certainly affect our children. We must never cease to be an example and a source of inspiration. We have to revitalize ourselves from the fountain of life with more prayer, more devotion and more G-dliness in our everyday lives, so that our children are surrounded and inspired by a truly loving Jewish and haimish atmosphere.

If parents wish their children to attain certain values in life then they have to demonstrate those values and actions by example. They have to create a pure environment, especially in the home, where the observance of mitzvot and traditions should reign supreme. We must not be so easily swerved from the path of authentic Judaism by a glimmering world full of technology and full of meaningless potential instant gratification.

Choosing the correct blessing truly is an art. We may not have an Esau and a Jacob, but we do have it in our power to confer twin blessings, one material and the other spiritual. Both blessings are perfectly in order but we too readily bestow the material blessings of life. In general, spiritual blessings are often neglected, or play second fiddle. We not only often fail to direct our children into a proper religious and spiritual upbringing but we lack a sense of dedication and a spirit of sacrifice.

Toldot-this week's portion-translates to the word "generations." The late Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan wrote, "Until now, generation gaps did not have serious consequences because children grew up in an environment much like that of their parents. As they matured, they found that they regenerated their parents' values.

Today the situation is different. Young people are exposed to the mass media and are strongly influenced by social trends and acquaintances, not all for the positive. The two worlds are so different that our youth find it next to impossible to regenerate their parents' values. We are not faced with a generation gap, but rather a "regeneration gap."

A famous heart surgery pioneer, Professor Barnard, was once asked whether he missed performing heart operations. "No, not at all." he said. "You have to wake up every morning with that buzz that gives you the excitement to pursue another day's activities. I do not get that buzz any more." How many Jews wake up every morning with that buzz and excitement of davening (praying), or of putting on tefillin, as well as setting an example to their children? The problem today is that many of us crave a different type of excitement because our thoughts are mostly devoid of spiritual matters. We need to give some thought to the issues of the mind and to those things that will still be important tomorrow and the day after.

Unfortunately today the well of water is tainted. It is not pure and clean. Assimilation and intermarriage are taking their highest toll in our free, enlightened and liberal society. External influences are threatening our identity. Let the "Isaacs" of today pay more attention to blessing and guiding their children in spiritual matters. Yes, more spirituality in a material world will not go amiss. We Jews need the Torah not only for ourselves but for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

No one ever became less successful or ill from a bit of extra spirituality! Even those of us who tend to lean toward a more observant and spiritual way of life tend to focus on our financial plights and business all day. The spiritual tends to be the secondary part of our existence, instead of being equal or primary in our daily lives.

May we all extract a bit more of the spiritual side of the wishes and blessings that we confer upon our children, and may we experience the nachas of those blessings by demonstrating those spiritual values and seeing our children emulate them, l'dor vador-from generation to generation.

Rabbi Doug Zelden is the rabbi of Congregation Or Menorah (Orthodox) in Chicago and host of the weekly TV show "Taped With Rabbi Doug."