From: rig@eng.umd.edu (Ronald Greenberg)
Subject: Re: Bris
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 92 19:50:36 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park, College of Engineering


Here is the pamphlet I promised for the simchat bat combined with a
siyum that I mentioned in another posting.  It's a llegal-size piece
of paper folded in thirds.  That is, before folding one side looks
like this:
     ------------------
     |     |     |     |
     |p. 4 |p. 5 |cover|
     |     |     |     |
     |     |     |     |
     ------------------	
 and the other like this:
     ------------------
     |     |     |     |
     |p. 1 |p. 2 |p. 3 |
     |     |     |     |
     |     |     |     |
     ------------------	

The contents were as follows (with a few things elided that I don't
feel like typing).  (Typos are probably mine.)

Cover:

 May the father rejoice in his ofspring, and the
 mother be glad with the fruit of her womb, as it is
 written: May your father and mother rejoice and
 she who bore you be glad.
           Seder Brit Milah, quoting Proverbs 23:25


                      SIYUM

                      held
         23 July 1992, 22 Tammuz 5752
                       at
                      ...

               in celebration of
             a cylce of Torah study
       inaugurating the Torah education of

             SHOSHANA ROSA ...
        (8 lb, 9 oz, 15 July, 15 Tammuz)


                 daughter of
                    ...



 Welcome and thank you for joining us today.  This
 pamphlet includes responsive readings and explains
 some of the customs surrounding today's events.

 Please feel free to pose additional questions to the
 parents, the Rabbi, or those sitting near you.


Page 1:

 About the name "Shoshana"
   ...

 About the meaning of a "Siyum"
   Siyum is Hebrew for completion, and describes a
   celebration over the completion of a cycle of Jewish
   learning.  In reality, a siym never celebrates just an
   ending but also a new beginning as the learners
   start another cylce of study.  In this way, a siyum is
   also symbolic of bringing a first child into the world
   -- with the passing of one cycle comes a new cycle
   of parenthood.  Judy and Efraim undertook this
   siyum to share the event with the community.

   There is also a parable that an angel teaches the
   entire  Torah to babies in the womb and then wipes
   out that knowledge just before birth so that the
   cycle of learninge can begin anew.  Shonny's first
   siyum is a chance to remember what she once
   knew.

   A siyum on the eigth day of life is particularly
   appropriate at this time of year to acknowledge the
   birth of a new daughter (Simchat Bat).  Between the
   17th day of Tammuz and the 9th of Av (Tisha b'Av),
   we diminish our focus on public joy in
   rememberance of the destructions that took place
   historically diring this period.


Page 2:

 About this choice of torah learning
   Efraim and Judy elected to study the volume "Guard
   Your Tongue" (N'tzor L'shon'cha) by Rabbi Zelig
   Pliskin, which discusses the lawas agains "loshon
   hora" -- slander and gossip.  The volume is an
   adaptation of ...  The titles of both books derive
   from ...

   This material holds general importance in an era
   when slander is a basic fuel of politics and
   commerce, and when technology enables
   instantaneous transmission of the offending remarks.
   Yet the work is especially appropriate for today's
   siyum because maintaining peace in this manner
   was a great merit of Shonny's namesake.


 About today's events
   We will begin upstairs with introductory remarks,
   follwed by a siyum and summary of torah study.  A
   few other will then share brief remarks, and we will
   all join in readings to welcome Shonny into the
   community and offer traditional words of blessing.
   Men and women are welcomed to sit together.

   A reception follows, downstairs.  (A washing station
   with lechem will be set up for those who elect
   Motzi and Birkat HaMazon.)  Shoartly after eight
   o'clock the traditional evening services (Mincha-
   Maariv) will take place upstairs.  These services
   have separate seating.


Page 3:

            RESPONSIVE READING WELCOMING
             SHOSHANA TO THE COMMUNITY

(Relatives rise and read toghether:)
   Shoshana, we are your relatives,
   who share your family and your heritage.

   We bring to you today
   the blessing of Torah knowledge,
   to help you develop a sense of self awareness,
   of respect for others, and of life's deeper meanings.

   We pray that over the years we will have
   countless opportunities to learn together,
   bringing in knowledge and faith.
        [remain standing]

(Members of Kesher Israel rise and read together:)
   Shoshana, we are your Jewish community,
   your spiritual family linked by faith and by vision.

   We bring to you today the blessing of connection,
   allowing you to develop your unique soul
   and fulfill your dreams
   while remaining close to your faith.

   We pray that over the years we will help you
   grow in self-confidence,
   provide you with support in all your life choices,
   and to see you one day join your chosen family
   to the divine presence of the Shechinah.
     [remain standing]
                          [continues on next page]


Page 4:

 (All other friends and well-wishers rise and read
 toghether:)
   Shoshana, we are your friends who hold you dear,
   your link to the broad expanse of
   a rich and varied society.

   We bring to you today
   a blessing to perform good deeds,
   in the hope that you will grow to perform your own
   good deeds, for their own sake.

   We pray that over the years we will help you to act
   out of charity, kindness, and warmth,
   to see the reflection of the Divine Presence
   that is shared by all humanity.
        [remain standing]

 All recite together, while standing:
   Shoshana, dear little one, may you become great.
   Even as you enter today into the community,
   so may you enter into
   knowledge, connection, and good deeds.

   May the Holy One grant you a long life, a life
   free from sin, a life of richness and honor,
   a life in which G-d will fulfill all the wishes of your
   heart for good.  Amen.


Page 5:

 As Judy and Efraim offer Shoshana the three-fold blessing
 of our ancestors in Hebrew and English, all respond with
 "Kain y'Hee Rahtzon," meaning, "So May It Be G-d's Will."

   May the Holy One bless you as our matriarchs
   Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah: May the Holy
   One bless you and keep you.  [Respond:  Kain
   y'Hee Rahtzon.]

   May the Holy One cause the divine spirit to shine
   upon you and be gracious unto you.  [Respond:
   Kain y'Hee Rahtzon.]

   May the Holy One turn The spirit unto you and
   grant you Shalom.  [Respond:  Kain y'Hee Rahtzon.]



 A parting word on the laws of loshon hora:
   "When one speaks loshon hora about another
   person, at that very same moment his sins are
   mentioned in heaven."
      "Guard Your Tongue," quoting Rav Chayim Vitaal
-- 

Ronald I. Greenberg	(Ron)		rig@eng.umd.edu