In February of 2003 I was all set for Yehuda’s first birthday. I had bought oodles of art projects for the little kids to do. I had a cake with a picture of Yehuda swinging with glee. I had Winnie the Pooh decorations and more. We were set.
Until the snow wouldn’t stop. And so, since none of Yehuda’s little friends could make it to our house, we called in the neighbors. We lived in a lovely cul-de-sac filled with our friends, who came pouring in to enjoy the snow day and the cake with us. Josh’s parents were with us as well, and were actually trying to drive out that day. So when the party ended, our friends helped to dislodge their car and walk along the road with shovels to literally push them out of the neighborhood.
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| Coats piled at our door during the snow storm! |
Needless to say, it was a very memorable first birthday.
So it would seem fitting that Yehuda’s Chanuchat Tefillin should arrive under the same weather conditions. The Chanuchat Tefillin is an event that marks the first time that the pre-bar mitzvah boy wears his tefillin for morning davening. Typically, this is done 1-3 months before the bar mitzvah. Some families go to the Kotel for the event; others go to Ma’arah haMachpelah (Cave of the Patriarchs); and some celebrate the event at the child’s school, etc. We had planned to bring our breakfast cereals, milk, chocolate milk, a cake with his picture on it and enthusiasm to Yehuda’s school so that he could celebrate with his whole class. Instead, we tromped through the snow to our local shul, Imrei Rachel, and had a lovely, cozy event with Yehuda’s friends (who had braved the weather to walk over from all over Neve Daniel) and our neighbors who were all happy to have a very convenient morning minyan and to share in our simcha.
Yehuda put on his tefillin. We ate cake. We sang, hugged him, and marveled at the passage of time.
Prior to this event, we had the privilege of going thirty minutes south of us to Kiryat Arba to meet with Rav (Rabbi) Gershon who created Yehuda’s tefillin. We spent two hours with him while he explained the entire process of putting the tefillin together and actually had Yehuda help in the creation of his own tefillin.
The tefillin are made from cowhide and are created in a meticulous process passed down to us through countless generations. Inside the tefillin worn on the head are four sections from the Torah where it describes the mitzvah (commandment) to wear tefillin. The words are written by a Sofer Stam (a ritual scribe) and are written in a beautiful, detailed style. We had a special person in Neve Daniel write the parchment for us and Yehuda had the opportunity to learn about the process and laws of writing tefillin with him.
Then, he sent the parchment down to Rav Gershon, who places each piece in the tefillin. The parchments are wrapped in a specific way and placed in a certain order. Yehuda learned all about this process with Rav Gershon and had the honor of actually placing his parchments into their respective locations.
Then, he sent the parchment down to Rav Gershon, who places each piece in the tefillin. The parchments are wrapped in a specific way and placed in a certain order. Yehuda learned all about this process with Rav Gershon and had the honor of actually placing his parchments into their respective locations.
As I watched Yehuda join with his ancestors, with the whole of Jewish history, I was amazed and humbled. It was hard not to think about the recent pictures of bloodied tefillin, left scattered and shattered on the floor in the Har Nof synagogue. It was impossible not to imagine the butchery of Jews in the middle of their morning prayers. I tried to push these images from my mind, but their significance was not lost on me.
Yehuda was learning about our rituals and our faith, passed down from generation to generation, connecting us to our past and our future. He will stand as a strong, proud Jew donning his tefillin each morning and connecting himself for all time to those who have come before him. This will include those who have lost their lives for the sheer fact that they are Jews – that they are davening with their tefillin and standing before Gd and their history.
May he carry his tefillin close to his heart (and not lose them – man they are expensive!) and may he always remain connected to his people and his heritage in this – and so many other – ways as he reaches the momentous time of becoming a bar mitzvah shortly (but maybe without snow?).
Amen
I got here via FB friends. Mazal tov! And just a suggestion: if you haven't done so already, add the tefilin to your homeowners' insurance!
So beautiful!
My son has been a client of your FIL for almost 5 years. We have made appointments around his trips to visit you. I think of you when I watch the news. Joel mentioned that you had a blog so I explored and found you. I am very fascinated to read about your life. Thank you.