May God who blessed our ancestors, ShifraShifra is one of the two Hebrew midwives mentioned in Exodus 1 who refuses Pharaoh's orders to kill the boy children, instead enabling them to live. She, along with her partner Puah, is instrumental in beginning the process leading to the Exodus. Shifra is often identified as Jochebed, Moses' mother. and PuahPuah, like Shifra, is one of the Hebrew midwives mentioned in Exodus 1 who defies Pharaoh's orders to kill the boy babies. This first act of defiance was instrumental in leading to the Israelite exodus from Egypt. Puah is often identified in the midrash with Miriam, Moses' older sister., HannahHannah is the mother of the prophet Samuel, who, through her prayers, is rewarded a child. She herself is also considered a prophet. Hannah's intense devotional style of prayer becomes the model, in rabbinic Judaism, for prayer in general., and Yocheved, bless you Yonah ben AvrahamAbraham is the first patriarch and the father of the Jewish people. He is the husband of Sarah and the father of Isaac and Ishmael. God's covenant - that we will be a great people and inherit the land of Israel - begins with Abraham and is marked by his circumcision, the first in Jewish history. His Hebrew name is Avraham. v’SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah. and you Chana bat Avraham v’Sarah as you enter into the holy responsibility of parenthood.
May your nachas and satisfaction as parents be wholly nourishing.
May you be able to distinguish between your child and yourself; this sacred being who has come through you.
May you give her the space and support to be who she is and may each of you continue to develop and grow further into yourselves.
May you prioritize time to be in relationship with each other and with friends and family as Yonah and Chana, not just Mom and Dad.
May your love and bond be strengthened, may you help each other to grow into this role, partnering in the task to be a whole parent.
May you remain open to who each of you will become as you grow and change. This new life you two have brought into this world, feeding you and leading you down new paths.
May this joy and sacred work bring you into deeper relationships with your community as you participate in the education of your child.
May the resources and wisdom you bring into your daughter’s life be a source of blessing also for those whom her schooling and activities bring into your home and lives.
May you be blessed with creativity and flexibility.
May you be bold and courageous as you help lead your daughter into this most uncertain world.
May the source of blessing bless you in this amazing challenge.
