For those who missed it this morning, Mrs. Carl and I had our sixth grandchild, fifth grandson this morning (last night US time).
This is the first time we will not make the Shalom Zachor (Friday night party for a newborn boy). I hope to make the Bris (circumcision) God willing.
Nevertheless....
Here's Baruch Levine with v'Zakeini (May I be privileged to raise children and grandchildren), which is part of the prayer that Jewish women say when they light candles on Friday night.
Let's go to the videotape.
Shabbat Shalom to all of you. I hope that we all get to celebrate many joyous occasions together in the years to come.
Grant me the privilege to raise children and grandchildren
The prayer that every Jewish woman says as she lights candles on Friday night... the song that still gives me goose bumps every time I hear it... one of our most fervent prayers... and one we can go a long way toward making true next Monday night.... Here's Sruli Milstien (anyone know how old he is) with v'Zakeini l'Gadeil (And grant me the privilege to raise children and grandchildren).
Here's boy wonder Yanky Stern singing v'Zakeini l'Gadel (And let me be privileged to raise children and grandchildren who are engaged in Torah) at a party where the children of Sanz received their first Chumash (part of the bible).
We actually sang this song at our Hakafoth in synagogue on Sunday night, and of course it's a song I have posted many times before on this blog.
Here's Baruch Levine singing v'Zakeini l'Gadeil (Let me be privileged to raise Torah scholars) at the Siyum HaShas in New Jersey earlier this month.
Let's go to the videotape.
I wasn't there so I cannot tell you what you had to do to be one of those 16,000 kids, but I wish we had that program here. I think I know someone who might know....
Oh, and yes, that's MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, about ten minutes from where I used to live, and there were about 90,000 people there.
I hope you'll all forgive me if I once again post Baruch Levine's v'Zakeini l'Gadel (And privilege me to raise children and grandchildren). It's one of those moments this evening.
Let's go to the videotape. An English translation of the words is below the fold.
"Privilege me to raise children and grandchildren who are wise and understanding, who love Hashem and fear Hashem, people of truth, offspring that are holy, who to Hashem are attached, (who) illuminate the world with Torah and with deeds that are good, and with every labor in the service of the Creator."
I hope you'll all forgive me if in honor of the birth of my latest grandson, I post once again the video of v'Zakeini l'Gadel (Grant me the privilege of raising children and grandchildren).
Tonight is the second of the two weddings I'm attending while I'm in the US.
I'm in Monsey, New York tonight, attending the wedding of Akiva R, the son of regular reader Debbie R (whom I have known for - yipes! - nearly 40 years), and a friend of BY (son #2 child #3 - did I remember to say Mazal Tov for him?). How long have I known Akiva R? A few hours after he was born, he was placed in neonatal intensive care at Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. I worked a few blocks away from Cornell at the time, and when Mrs. Carl called and said "Mrs. R had the baby this morning and they're at Cornell in the neonatal intensive care unit," I grabbed a few sandwiches and rushed over - getting past security by claiming I was 'Hal's brother.' Maybe I am after all. Later, I was given Kisei Shel Eliyahu (Elijah's chair), one of the highest honors, at Akiva R's Bris.
I think I'm going to be crying tonight during the chupa along with Akiva's parents (better take some extra tissues), so we may as well get started.
In an earlier post, I announced that Mrs. Carl and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this evening, along with the 12th birthday of son#3, child #6. In honor of the occasions, I'd like to play a song which, I believe, embodies the dream of every Orthodox Jewish couple who gets married (okay, that's a bit presumptuous, but I don't believe it's an exaggeration). The song is by Baruch Levine and it's called v'Zakeini le'gadeil (And privilege me to raise children and grandchildren). I've played it for you several times before.
Let's go to the videotape. The words and their translation follow. Make sure you watch the video and not just listen to the music (which is beautiful).
The words come from the prayer said by Jewish women as they light the Sabbath candles each week.
"Privilege me to raise children and grandchildren who are wise and understanding, who love Hashem and fear Hashem, people of truth, offspring that are holy, who to Hashem are attached, (who) illuminate the world with Torah and with deeds that are good, and with every labor in the service of the Creator."
That is my wish this evening, for myself and Mrs. Carl, for our children and grandchildren, and for all of you.
I hope you'll all forgive me for posting something I have posted many times before.
Thursday morning, my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, who are currently in New York, are arriving in Boston. My father only met my daughter-in-law at my son's and daughter-in-law's wedding three years ago. He has never met my granddaughter, who is named after my mother a"h (may she rest in peace). So tomorrow is going to be pretty special. It's why I specifically came in now.
Some of you may have noticed that the posting was sporadic today (despite the times on the posts, there was actually a large bloc of time during which I didn't post).
Son # 5, child # 8 had his first grade siddur party today, at which he received his siddur from school. Unlike everyone else, he was allowed to take his siddur home today so that he can take it to synagogue tomorrow morning when he goes with me.
It was a bit of an emotional experience for me. The next offpsring's siddur party I am likely to attend is my oldest grandson's, God willing. He will be 3 in June.
This song by Baruch Levine was both sung by the school's choir and by the 1st graders, and my eyes kept tearing up as I sat with my 3rd and 6th grade sons, who were allowed out of class for the occasion.
Let's go to the videotape.
Nachas is hereditary - you get it from your kids. May all of you always have lots of nachas from your kids.
27 years ago tonight - the 10th day of Kislev - I became a father for the first time. That child, known to some of you as the Beguiling Avigayil, is now married and the mother of two adorable sons - my first two grandchildren (Mrs. Carl and I also have a granddaughter via our eldest son, who is of course also married).
Here's Baruch Levine singing v'Zakeni l'Gadel (And let me be privileged to raise children) from the 20th HASC concert several years ago.
Let's go to the videotape.
Everything else one does in life, aside from raise children and enjoy grandchildren, pales by comparison.
May you all have many wonderful children and grandchildren to enjoy!
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
