Sunday, July 1, 2012

Hair




When I was pregnant and imagining what our kid would look like, I didn't really think too much about gender, mostly about hair.  I couldn't imagine not having a kid with a full head of dark thick hair. Even if it wasn't born with it, I was sure the kid would have a load of hair by 1 1/2.  Boy was I wrong.  This boys hair is long(ish) thin, light and just wispy.

Some people have asked why I haven't cut it, or they have eluded to the fact that maybe I should.  I look at pictures of him and sure sometimes he looks like a ragamuffin.  BUT there is a reason for it.

Although we are raising him LDS we both think it is important to keep certain Jewish customs and traditions.  We celebrate Hanukah and when we are able we also attend Passover Seders and plan on teaching our children about their Hebrew roots.  A Jewish tradition I have always admired was that of the Upsherin/Chalakah.

There is a lot of significance in this tradition and it can go pretty deep. Since Sonny won't be keeping his payots or start to wear a kippah, or start learning Hebrew (although it isn't a bad idea) we probably won't go all out with a big coming of age party- now that I think about it, maybe we will. Who knows?

What I love about a Upsherin are the references to people being like trees and the reference to Leviticus 19:23:
And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

 There are other biblical references likening people to trees, I found that this Rabbi gives the best easy answers.

Another aspect of the tradition I admire is that up until three the child is a baby.  They rely on their parents for all their needs.  They take, they absorb.  When they turn three they are ready to give back a little. They are ready to be formally educated.  I just love this.  I love how it gives a child his own identity and responsibility.

So if you see my son with light long straight uneven hair, for another year and a half - you now know why.

2 comments:

  1. I love this! I don't have Jewish genealogical roots (recently, anyway) but I have always felt a strong connection, partly because most of my friends growing up were Jewish. Jared & I also participate in a Passover Seder as often as we can. Keeping some of the more meaningful traditions with your son is a great gift to him.

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  2. Oh! I also thought my boy would have dark hair, dark skin, dark eyes. He came out looking so different than I imagined--though I always knew he was a boy since the moment I first had a thought of having babies, I knew I'd have a boy. I visit my first home a lot too...and it makes me cry. My soul sista'!!!

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