Ross Berger (guest star Kirk Douglas) is a proud, self-reliant stroke survivor who thinks he doesn't need traditions and certainly doesn't need God. Now, as his beloved grandson, Aaron, is about to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, Ross refuses to attend the ceremony, leaving Aaron to rethink his commitment to Judaism, despite the strong observance of his parents. However, when Alan, Aaron's father and Ross' son, becomes ill, Alan asks Ross to stand in for him at this important ceremony, just as Aaron needs the strength from his Jewish heritage more than ever before.