Family
Looking to enhance your family's spiritual life? On this page you will find articles about rituals and practices you can do with those you love.
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Becoming Parents...
The birth of a child is the most wondrous and frightening of God’s miracles. When the child is born safely, you will be at a loss for words, so wondrous is the event you have just experienced!
Blessing:
Baruch atah Hashem, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu, v’ki-manu v’higi-anu laz’man hazeh.
Praised are You,, who has kept us in life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.
May it be Your will, that just as you have brought this child safely into the world, may you guide him/her safely through life.
Creator of the world, help me to be a wise, loving parent. Help me be patient and kind, a teacher and worthy model. And when I need support, may the community of Israel do its part, providing a home and haven for this child through the years.
Blessed are You, eternal God, who enables us to reorient ourselves, making us fully present for this new, wondrous life. Teach us to concentrate ourselves, making space for this child to flourish.
Teaching:
"We are partners in the creation of a person: The Holy One, and us."
(Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin, p. 30b)
As you approach the many time-consuming tasks of parenting, remember: "One who is engaged in one mitzvah is exempt from other mitzvot." If you are nursing your baby, you may have to postpone teaching Talmud to next semester. If you must put your child to bed, you may have to come late to tonight’s board meeting.
(CLAL Faculty)
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