Page 9 - The Jewish Voice - August '21

The Jewish Voice, Page 9

aLL about Kids

To Whom Does a U.S. to create as G‑d does. No
matter how many times I
President Bow? give birth, the magnitude of
the moment never fails me.
President Biden’s kneeling represented so much to me, a I simply offer my thanks
mother of nine to G‑d for giving me and
my husband this singular
By Chana Vigler opportunity to partner with
We witnessed the leader of the free world, U.S. President Him in this most miraculous
Joe Biden, going down on one knee in the Oval Office before manner, and for entrusting
Rivka Ravitz, the chief of staff of Israel’s outgoing President us with the most precious
Reuven Rivlin. The moment was triggered when Biden was the end of the day, we set our priorities and spend our hard- and treasured of all gifts.
told that Ravitz was not only a highly regarded staffer, but earned dollars on what we deem most important. I know this And while having our very own tribe is certainly what
the mother of 12 children. may sound daydreamy, but somehow, we have what we need. G‑d wants, we don’t have them because we must. We have
As a mother of nine, I saw so much significance in the Who says your son will even want to go to that Ivy League them because we can. G‑d has done kindness with us by
president’s gesture. university? Or better yet, he may even end up there on full choosing us to be the vessel of His blessings and the parents
So often, we are prepared to take risks in the hopes of scholarship. And meanwhile, you’ve been holding yourself of our beautiful children. Why would I ever deny them? Every
greater returns. We’ll spend years in college working toward back from amassing life’s greatest fortunes. single child is wanted and loved; every single child expands
degrees that we believe will help provide better careers. True, not all children give their parents nachas. And our hearts in ways we never dreamed possible.
We take a gamble taking out loans and accruing debt with plenty of business deals go south. But as they say, if you Society ought to look at mothers differently — as G‑d’s
the aspirations of striking it rich. And, yes, we even enter don’t try, you’ll never know. And I can assure you that (in greatest partners. Then, perhaps it would be the norm to bow
relationships with a wish and a prayer that they be our match most scenarios), even those children who give their parents to them, just as President Biden did.
made in heaven and not the contrary, G‑d forbid. a good deal of grief still give them more pleasure than a bad
But for some reason, the one thing in life that is practically business deal. Summer Fun at Jewish Camp
guaranteed to give us the most joy and purpose — not to The very first commandment in the Torah is when G‑d
mention a legacy like nothing else quite could — comes said to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Be fruitful of the Arts
with so many calculations and hesitations. I have yet to meet and multiply; fill the earth and conquer it.” The Rebbe, Rabbi
a person on their deathbed who regretted having as many Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, explains
children as he or she did. But I have met many who regretted these words to mean: Conquer all the earthly concerns that
not having more. Not everyone is gifted with the ability to talk you into not making children a priority, whether they are
have children. But those of us who are fortunate enough to concerns of a difficult pregnancy, a challenging childbirth,
have a loving spouse and a fertile body are blessed with an or even the cost of rearing them. It is incumbent upon us to
incredible opportunity. recognize that we are not merely physical beings; rather, we
Can children keep you up at night? You bet they can! First are bodies of flesh housing a G‑dly soul. All of our earthly
as infants, then as toddlers and then, as my parents are wont pleasures come from G‑d Himself. It is the blessing of G‑d
to remind us, big kids can keep you tossing and turning even Almighty that provides one’s wealth. The greater the vessel
more! But I’d bet your bottom dollar that they don’t keep you one makes by fulfilling the will of G‑d, the greater the
up any more than those business affairs you’ve been working expanse one makes for G‑d to fill with blessing.
so hard on. Contrary to the way some may perceive it, intimacy
But tuition is so high! How can you clothe and feed so between man and woman is G‑dly. We are created in the
many children? The cost of having children is astronomical! image of G‑d. However, in no other circumstance other than
True, but so is buying a house, a car and going on vacation. At that of birthing a child are we given the gift of the capability All About Kids on page 10