by Bonnie Koppell

Created on: November 22, 2008

The Upshernish is the traditional ceremony for cutting a boy's hair for the first time when he reaches the age of three and is introduced to the study of Torah. It often takes place on the holiday of Lag B'Omer. Below is a suggested ceremony for this occasion.

UPSHERNISH CEREMONY

"The child grew and was weaned and Abraham held a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned."- Genesis 21:8

ALL: (Sing) Hine ma tov u'ma naim, shevet akhim gam yakhad-
How good it is and how pleasant for all of us to be together
for this simkha.

RABBI: The Torah tells us that the fruit of a tree should not be
consumed for the first three years of its life. This allows the
tree to grow strong. In other Jewish literature person is compared to a tree. Thus, it has become traditional to
refrain from cutting a child's hair during their first three years
of his life.

MOTHER: Cutting our child's hair is symbolic of his entering a new phase
of his life. He is getting to be a big boy, and will begin learning
Torah and practicing mitzvot on his own. May we always be
blessed with the ability to respond to your physical and spiritual
needs, so that you may grow to fulfill the best that is within
you.

FATHER: As his Jewish education begins in earnest, we ask him now to
look at this chart of the Hebrew alef-bet, and point to alef,
the first letter, symbolizing the beginning of a lifetime of
learning. May you, my son, grow into manhood in the ways of Torah and mitzvot, strong in body, mind and spirit.

PARENTS: May we, in love, continue to give sustenance to this child and
provide for him examples of goodness and lovingkindness
through the way we live.

PARENTS AND CHILD: (Sing) Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai
Ekhad- Hear O Israel, Adonai our God, Adonai is One

COMMUNITY: May the study of Torah always be sweet for him. May the
words of this poem and blessing be fulfilled for this precious
young member of our community:

May your eyes sparkle with the light of truth,
and your ears hear the music of its words.
May the space between each letter of the scrolls
bring warmth and comfort to your soul.
May the syllables draw holiness from your heart,
and may this holiness be gentle and soothing
to you and all God's creatures.
May your study be passionate,
and meanings bear more meanings
until Life itself arrays itself to you
as a dazzling wedding feast
And may your conversation,
even of the commonplace,
be a blessing to all who listen to your words
and see that Life is glowing on your face.
(Daniel Siegel)

ALL: Beginning with the

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