Last week, our grandson Nadav, reached a milestone in his young life. Nadav turned three years old and had a halake in Hebrew or upsherin in Yiddish party. He reached the point in his life where our tradition says now is the time to cut a boys hair.
Why at three and not two? The third birthday is a significant stage in the life of a Jewish boy. It is the time that he begins his Torah education, Nadav is in a Torani gan and starts to wear a kipa and tzitzit.
On an emotional level, a child is born a baby and totally dependent and grows and develops into a toddler ready to be trained. At three he is ready to be more independent, separating from his Mother, visiting friends alone and going to gan. [nursery/kindergarten]. Cutting his hair at this time makes a very strong emotional impression. He knows he is growing up.
We learn that the mitzvah of cutting a boy's hair at three years old is derived from the mitzvah of orlah. The Torah says that if you plant a tree, all the fruits which grow during the first three years are orlah, off limits and can't be eaten. [Leviticus 19:23]. Just as orlah fruit is off limits for three years, we leave a child's hair alone during this time.
Nadav's third birthday was a special event for our family. For the haircut ceremony, it is customary for friends and family to take a snip of his hair. Nadav's two sabas had the honor of taking the first snips. His two saftas snipped next, followed by aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and even Nadav's older brother and sister took a turn.
With each snip, Nadav received many brachot to grow up to be a Ben Torah and to learn Torah with success.
The last cut went to Nadav's mother, who cut his long braid. When she showed him how long his hair was, Nadav's eyes just opened so wide and his smile was from ear to ear.
He proudly tried on his new tzitzit, that had a picture of a train with the aleph bet letters. Across the tzitzit it said A'nei Ben Shalosh. I am three.
Nadav enjoyed opening and playing with all his gifts. When the party was over, Nadav's father gave him a sweet boy's haircut. While he was cutting his hair, Nadav closed his eyes and fell asleep.
May we only shep nachas and simchas from Nadav!
Here are some pictures from the party.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
בס''ד
Next week is my birthday!
My secular birthday date is on November 7th and my Hebrew birthday date is 13 Cheshvan...a week later on November 11th. I celebrate both days. My husband and son usually wish me happy birthday on my secular date and my daughters and grandchildren send their wishes on my Hebrew date.
I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m healthy and I’m happy. I have great children, twelve super grandchildren and my husband, whom I have been married to for more than forty years. Wow! I really am getting old.
I have reached a point in my life where I’m old enough to start receiving my old age pension from Israel, but not old enough to receive my old age pension from Canada. Still have to wait another three years for that.
When I think about some of my accomplishments I have to say that raising my family was at the top of the list. I look at my married daughters and see how special they turned out and how they are raising their families, I shep nachas and know I did something right.
My husband & I adopted our son when he was two and half years old. He was called a special child because he was over six months when he became available for adoption. The first time I set eyes on him, I knew he was the right child for me. We bonded immediately. The only difference between him and the girls is who gave birth to whom.
Making Aliyah was another major accomplishment. We wanted to make Aliyah for years, but there was always an excuse, you know, it was never the right time. From the moment we stepped off the airplane at Ben Gurion, we knew we were home. Our daughters picked us up at Ben Gurion and the first thing they said was, ”let’s see your Tuedat Oleh.”
Living in Israel was a privilege and we took things one day at a time. Who can ever forget the balagan when we went to Misrad Ha Panim. [interior ministry]. We were told to only use photcopies in government offices, as they loose everything. I brought a photocopy of my Ketuba instead of the original and they would't except it. They made us come back the next day. After 14 years, I have to say, our Aliyah has been a success.
Writing is a fairly new hobby. I write as a release when I am stressed out over something or someone. I started writing poems in 2001 and now I write short articles, some which have been published in Hamodia and on The Jewish Woman site of Chabad. You can read my articles at
The thrill of seeing one of my stories published on line or in print, to me is a personal accomplishment.
My favorite type of writing are stories thatI write for my grandchildren. You can read one of my stories on Jewish book town site.Scroll down to the center of the page.
In starting this blog to express my personal thoughts, I found another side of me. I side that I really enjoy. I have ‘met’ some very nice people who have written some very nice notes and comments.
The internet was a wonderful invention. It allows you to socialize, learn and connect. I have found some lost relatives and friends. I would never have been able to start writing as a hobby and get published without it. It gives you a new type of freedom.
When surfing for this blog, I came across several descriptions of ‘What is a Jewish birthday’.
This is what I learnt:One's Jewish birthday is, ofcourse, the date upon which one was born according to the Jewish calendar. Far from considering it incidental, Jewish tradition regards one's Jewish birthday to be celebrated with meaning and relevance and, in some ways, even a mini-Rosh Hashanah!
The Talmud informs us that on our Jewish birthdays our mazal (good fortune) is dominant.
The Jewish birthday is the perfect day for reflection about our lives as Jews and is an auspicious timeto make new resolutions, to perform good deeds and to deepen our commitment to Torahand the roleit plays in our lives.
Another opinion said:- When a person is born, all of shamayim (the skies) open up in order for his soul to come down to earth. Then, every year, once again, all the skies open up for his soul. However,this time, there is no soul coming down. Instead, it is an opportunity for his soul to cry out to God.
Since raising my familywas my greatest accomplishment, I would like to introduce them to you.
MyMishpacha
Avraham and I
Married on June 25th
17th of Sivan, in Chomedey, Que,
With dreams and hopes
of raising a mishpaca.
Our first born was Naomi.
Our second born was Devorah.
Ten years later,
we were blessed with
our son, Eli-Chaim.
We welcomed to the family
our sons-in-laws
Eliezer and Hagai.
Our oldest grandson is Yoni.
Our oldest granddaughter
is his sister Bat-El.
Our other precious
grandchildren are..
Michael, Itamar & Gilad,
Dvir, Adi and Talia,
Oshrei, Chen,
Nadav and Neta.
Our family is growing.
How thankful we are
to think that we started out as two.
So many blessings we have received
each one perfect in every way.
, Hashem please continue
tto guide our family
aand listen to our Tefillah.
Our faith is strong,
our lives are in Your Hand.
May each of us celebrate our birthday
ad 120 together with our family in
good health and happiness.
Feel free to commentand pass my blog around.
Monday, October 6, 2008
בס''ד To all my readers who sent me notes privately and wrote comments on my first blog, I want you to know how much I appreciate your kindness.
This is my second posting and I want to continue on the family theme. I would like to dedicate thisblog to fathers everywhere and especially my father, Louis Small [Eliezer David] a"h, who left us and this world on September 9th,1980 / 28th Elul 5740.
My dad was a wonderful man. He was a great husband, a super father and a loving grandfather. He was kind. He was good natured and he really cared about the next person. He would give you the shirt off his back, if that was what youneeded. Our family was the most important part of his life.
When my brother Yitzchak and I were children, he was always there for us. No matter the situation. He would do anything for his children.
My dad would speak softly, but directly to me, never down to me. When I had a problem we would go for a walk or a drive in the country and talk all the way. He made every problem seem not so bad.
My daddy would help me with my homework. One time, when I was ten years old, I had a geography project from school. I had to make a scrapbook about each province in Canada and say what it was known for. Now I had weeks to get this project done, but I procrastinated and before I knew it the project was due. I had information only on one province.
It was late at night and I couldn't sleep. I was so worried about the trouble I was in. At ten o'clock in the evening, I finally told my parents my problem. My father was really upset with me, but he told me that he would try and help me out and that I should go to sleep.
A few minutes later he was out of the house and drove to the train station. Since I lived in Montreal, The Canadian National Railwayshad a very large station underneath the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, that was opened all the time. My father was able to get me great information on every province.
Five o'clock in the morning, he woke me up and said, "here is your information, now get to work." I worked like I never worked in my life. By eight thirty, when I had to go to school, my project was more than half finished. I told my teacher that I would hand in my project after lunch.
In those days, we came home for lunch. I finished my project while munching on a sandwich. I couldn't believe it. My project was completed. I thanked my father a million times for getting me the information that I needed. I promised him that I would never procrastinate again. To this very day, I never procrastinate.
Daddy, even though twenty-eight years have passed, I remember our last days together, as if it were just today. It was Moetzi Shabbos, the night of Selichot. For some reason I just felt the need to cook for Yom Tov. I went to Selichot, and when I came home I just couldn't go to bed, so I cooked all night.
Eight o'clock Sunday morning Mommy called and said that you had a heart attack during the night and that I should come to Montreal. I told her I would get the next flight out. I then understood what I was feeling all night. By Sunday afternoon, I was at your bedside. Yitzchak arrived from Detroit a couple of hours later. We spent as much time as the hospital would allow us to visit with you and talk to your doctors.
Tuesday morning you told Mommy that you wanted to speak to each of us alone. You somehow knew you were dying, but you didn't say so. You told me to go home and be with my family for Yom Tov. Yom Tov was Wednesday night. When I protested that my family was in good hands, you told me not to argue, and that I could come back after Yom Tov. What I didn't realize was that you were saying good-bye.
With a heavy heart, Yitzchak and I returned to our respective homes. From Montreal to Hamilton the flight is a little over an hour. I arrived in Hamilton in time to go and pick up the girls from school.
As we entered the hall of our apartment building, I could hear the phone ringing. It was Mommy, saying that you had just passed away. Two hours later,Yitzchak and I were on our way back to Montreal. Daddy, in your memory, I wrote this poem.
Twenty-eight yearshave passed, where has the time gone, since you were taken from us to a better world above.
So many grandchildren do you have and great-grandchildren too! Oh how we miss your presence.... in our daily lives, to share a simchah, or to comfort us after a good cry.
We know you are watching over us from your resting place and smiling down on us as we live in this place.
Nine years ago Mommy left us to join you in paradise. We miss you both so very much that no words can every say.
The younger generation lost out on knowing two special people. Oh how they would have loved to bounce and sit and play upon your knee.
And the nachas you both could have shepped when they entertained observant Jews so proudly they remain!
Now to bring you up to date more that thirty great-grandchildren you now have. So many of the children share you looks, your character and your talents.
Daddy, now it is time to end my poem two more lines to say. We love and miss you everyday NEVER FORGOTTEN in any way.
************************************
Some'father quotes' to enjoy.
..A father carries pictures where his money used to be. Author Unknown
..A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow. Author Unknown
..Any man can be a father. I takes someone special to be a dad. Author Unknown
..It's not the fishin'..It's the time together. Author Unknown
..Life doesn't come with an instruction book; that's why we have fathers. H Jackson Brown, Jr.
..Some times the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. Ruth E. Renkel.
..The first man a little girl falls in love with is her Dad. Author Unknown
..The most important thing that a father can do for is children is to love their mother. Theodore M. Hesburgh
..What do I owe my father? Everything! Henry Van Dyke.
4 years: My Daddy can do anything! 7 years: My Dad knows a lot..a whole lot. 8 years: My father does not know quite everything. 12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either. 14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old fashioned. 21 years: Oh, that man is out of date! 25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much. 30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it. 35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first. 50 years: What would Dad have thought about it? 60 years: My Dad knew literally everything! 65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dadonce more. Anonymous
************************************* Some fathers are great cooks. Others like to bake. Here is an easy cookie recipe that fathers can whip up andshow off their talents.
SAFTA'S SPECIAL COOKIES 1 cup sugar 7/8 cup oil 2 eggs 1 package baking powder [3 teaspoons] 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon orange or lemon juice 2 1/2 cups flour
Beat sugar, eggs, oil & juice. Add baking powder and continue beating Add flour and mix together until well blended.
Line cookie pans with baking paper using 2 teaspoons, drop cookie mixture.
Topping Sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar [optional toppings] coconut, coloured candy sprinkles, sesame seeds or a drop of jam in the center of the cookie.
Bake at 190c for 10/12 minutes or until brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 5 dozen medium cookies.
ENJOY!
*************************************
Please check out my links.
Thank-you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Fill free to comment. I want to wish all my readers and their families.....
This is my first posting and I am so happy that you are visiting my blog. About this blog. Thethemes for my blog are family members and relationships. Each person whether it is the father, mother, siblings, grandparents or great-grandparents play an important roll in the family nucleus.
I will try and post a new blog on a regular basis. Sometimes I will include recipes that everyone will enjoy. Other times I will post a game or two. I want this blog to be both informative and enjoyable. Your comments are welcomed.
Grandparents areSpecial
There are many articlesand poems writtenabout grandparents.
Grandparentshave many special names. Bubbyand Zeidi, GrandmaandGrandpa, Saba andSafta and so the list goes on.
If you look up the word grandparent inthedictionary, the definitionis ‘one who has a grandchild’. ‘The parent of the mother or father’.
To me being a grandparent is one who gives their grandchildren unconditional love, who is ready with open arms and a soft shoulder. A grandparent doesn’t give unsolicited advice or criticism to the grandchild or the parents. Grandparents need to always remember that they raised their children and now that they are parents they must be allowed to raise their children.
A grandparent will sit on the floor with the baby and play with rattles and soft toys.
A grandparent will build magnificent buildings with a toddler, share an imaginary cup of tea, play the same game or read the same story over and over again.
A grandparent will sit at the table and help with a puzzle or maybe just keep the grandchildren company while they color. And in the case of an emergency a grandparent will volunteer to baby-sit.
A grandparent has to know that when the parents says ‘no’ it means‘no’.
A grandparent is filled with joy when the grandchildren come to visit. A grandparent saves and hangs up on the fridge all those special drawings for everyone to see. A grandparent enjoys every special milestone and a grandparent sees each grandchild as a special blessing.
My husband and I have been granted twelve precious grandchildren. I feel truly sorry for grandparents who are so busy with themselves that they deny themselves the true joy of being a grandparent. These grandparentsalso deny their grandchildren the pleasure of having grandparents.
Enjoy the 'grandparent quotes'
Grandmas are moms withlots of frosting. ~Author unknown
What a bargain grandchildrenare! I give them my loose change, and they give me a milliondollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret
A grandmother is a babysitterwho watches the kids instead of the television. ~Author Unknown
What children need most are the essentials thatgrandparents provide in abundance. They giveunconditional love, kindness,patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life, and, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani
There's no placelike home except Grandma's. ~Author Unknown
Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One momentyou're just a mother, the next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown
Being grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be friends. ~Allan Frome
Grandmas never runout of hugs or cookies. ~Author Unknown
A grandfatheris someone with silver in his hairand gold in his heart. ~Author Unknown
Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things. ~Author Unknown
The best place tobe when you're sad is Grandpa's lap. ~Author Unknown
Side notes.
About my links.
If you are a grandparent you are invited to join my Grandparents are Special Yahoo group.
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