Community Magazine February 2019

There was once a man who came to his rabbi to share the wonderful news that he and his wife had a baby girl. The rabbi asked if he was making a celebration. “We were thinking of maybe sponsoring a small mazza on Shabbat morning,” the man replied. “How many years are you married?” the rabbi asked. “Two.” “Tell me,” the rabbi continued, “if you would have waited ten years to have this child, would you bemaking a bigger celebration?” The rabbi was showing the new father that we sometimes take our blessings for granted, and fail to appreciate them as much as we should. Feeling genuinely grateful and blessed when we are privileged to celebrate a happy occasion is a source of merit through which we can become worthy of more celebrations in the future. Scrambling for a Minyan We have many beautiful customs which we observe at special occasions to arouse our feelings of gratitude and draw our attention to Gd as we celebrate. One such custom is the “ berit Yitzhak ,” also called “ Zohar ,” which is held in a family’s home the night before a newborn baby’s berit . I recall once entering a home for a berit Yitzhak , and when I walked in, the place was in a frenzy.” “Do we have ten men?!” “Let’s call your brother.” “What about your cousin? Can’t he come?” The commotion stemmed from the time-honored tradition to have ten men assemble in the home and recite portions from the Zohar , the primary text of Kabbalah. What is the purpose of this custom, and in what ways can the participants – especially the new father – make the most of this special experience? Earning Protection Torah study in the house where a child is before a berit brings great merit to the child and all those involved, serving to protect them from harm. * Such protection is necessary because the yetzer hara (evil inclination) attempts to interfere with our performance of this special mitzvah , which protects us from Gehinnom . ** Studying the night before the berit also brings holiness and blessing to the child. *** Learning any part of Torah is beneficial on this night, and various customs exist regarding the specific text to study. **** Our communities have adopted the practice to study the text known as Sefer Berit Yitzhak , which is comprised of a portion of Zohar in Parashat Lech Lecha, and a second portion – read by the father – excerpted from the introduction to the Zohar . These portions teach us about the importance and power of the mitzvah of berit milah , the many rewards granted to those who fulfill this mitzvah , and the importance of guarding the berit milah from impurity. The text begins by expressing praise for Hashem’s greatness, emphasizing specifically His greatness as manifest in the creation of a child. The Zohar then speaks of Abraham Abinu * Zecher David , chapter 30. ** Zecher David , end of chapter 17. *** Rav Haim Palagi, Tochahat Haim , Parashat Lech-Lecha. **** Zecher David , chapter 33. Understanding the Berit Yitzhak A Discussion with Rabbi Hayim Arking of Ohr Halacha PNINA S. SOUID B RIT V’T ORAH 52 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE