My friend took their three-year-old boy to their Rabbi on the day of his Upsherin for a blessing. Should I do that too?
This is a beautiful thing to do and may have a very positive effect on your child! Many parents bring their young boys to the homes of their Rabbanim (Rabbis) on the day of their Upsherin. The Rabbi offers his blessing to the young child that he may grow up in the right way!
It is also customary among many Rabbanim to cut off some hair with a scissor. This is a tradition that has been around for many generations and is more common within Chasidic circles. Bringing the child to Talmidei Chachamim (Torah scholars) and Tzadikim (righteous people) can have an everlasting influence on him!
The positive effect of this visit is in a few ways:
- The Rabbi can bless the child to grow up in the ways of God, the study of His Torah and observance of His mitzvot.1
- According to Chasidic tradition, including these holy people in the first haircut will impart holiness into the young soul!
- In addition, the experience of the young boy’s interaction with these men of stature may remain etched in his heart forever!
Chasidic sources2 bring down that the parents of Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, (better known as the Baal Hatanya and the first Rebbe of Chabad) brought him on his third birthday to Rav Yisroel Bal Shem Tov (founding master of the Chasidic movement), who cut some of his hair.
>> Read Upsherin Part 3: The Age For The Upsherin Haircut and Upsherin Part 4: The Mitzvah of Pe’ot
By Rabbi Mayer Smith
Upsherin Part 4 Sources:
1 Teshuvot V’hanhagot 2:5 and 2:246
2 Likutei Diburim volume 3 page 482
