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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Hoping to Have a Child…
Our ancestor Rachel cried out, "Give me children, or I shall die." So many thousands of male and female "Rachels" are among us who also pray and hope for a child with the very same passion and intensity. In a community that so loves children, those who experience difficulty conceiving or adopting are all the more passionate and intense in their prayers.
Ritual:
For a special aliyah on Shabbat Vayetze when we read about Rachel who yearned for a child (Genesis 28:20), we call up to the Torah all those who are thinking about one day having children or grandchildren, all those who are trying to have children, and all those who are hoping to be successful in adoption. As you hear the Torah chanted, let the words of Rachel’s yearning strengthen you, and may your hopes be realized.
Blessing:
(before the reading of the Torah:)
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher bachar banu mi’kol ha’amim v’natan lanu et torato. Barukh atah Adonai, no’ten ha’torah.
Blessed are you, Source of blessing.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, master of the universe who has chosen us from among all peoples by giving us Your Torah. Praised are You, Lord, who gives the Torah.
(after the reading of the Torah:)
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher natan lanu Torat emet v’chayei olam natah b’tocheinu. Barukh atah Adonai no’ten Ha’torah.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, master of the universe who has given us the Torah of truth, planting within us life eternal. Blessed are You, Lord who gives the Torah.
Teaching:
Now God remembered Rachel; God heeded her and opened her womb.
(Genesis 30:22)
Ur-ei vanim l’vanecha. Shalom al Yisrael.
May you live to see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.
Ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta.
You have chosen us and have given us sacred purposes in life.
(CLAL Faculty)
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