"It used to be the custom to plant a cedar tree when a boy was born; a pine tree was planted for a girl. When the two were to be married the huppa (canopy) was woven from branches of both trees." ~ Gittin 57a
Dreams of the future.
A child is born and we begin to imagine what will come. The first steps, learning to read, balancing on a bicycle, education, graduation, a wedding. As a young father I remember the dreams I drafted in my mind for my first born. Meticulously, I planned out his future. He would grow unafraid of bullies, confident of his own strengths; he would be a gifted student and choose between the many schools that courted him.
It did not matter to me what profession he chose, I thought magnanimously, as long as he was a learned man.
As I aged, I saw the many terrible things that happen to children. There is disease, dangerous mistakes, substance abuse, accidents, self-hate, maliciousness by peers (and sometimes by friends) and so many imponderables that can occur any moment. The fact is, it is a miracle that children can grow up and old at all.
The simple wisdom of planting a tree for a boy or girl at birth is a sign of joy at the moment they come into this world. With every breath they take we enjoy their progress. And, if we are so privileged to see their branches intertwine with another it is a blessing. The rest is up to God.
Thank You, Lord.
Thank You.
Dreams of the future.
A child is born and we begin to imagine what will come. The first steps, learning to read, balancing on a bicycle, education, graduation, a wedding. As a young father I remember the dreams I drafted in my mind for my first born. Meticulously, I planned out his future. He would grow unafraid of bullies, confident of his own strengths; he would be a gifted student and choose between the many schools that courted him.
It did not matter to me what profession he chose, I thought magnanimously, as long as he was a learned man.
As I aged, I saw the many terrible things that happen to children. There is disease, dangerous mistakes, substance abuse, accidents, self-hate, maliciousness by peers (and sometimes by friends) and so many imponderables that can occur any moment. The fact is, it is a miracle that children can grow up and old at all.
The simple wisdom of planting a tree for a boy or girl at birth is a sign of joy at the moment they come into this world. With every breath they take we enjoy their progress. And, if we are so privileged to see their branches intertwine with another it is a blessing. The rest is up to God.
Thank You, Lord.
Thank You.
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