Among the various Jerusalem superstitions about pregnancy and childbirth, I had heard many times that if you do not make some sort of official celebration for a daughter, she will not get married in the future. Sounds to me like an excuse for a catered party.
Last night Raphaela and I attended the Simchat Bat [Hebrew for The Celebration of a Girl] of a new cousin, Baby Rachel. Between the family gathering, the loot bag for children and the giant table of candy AKA Raphaela's dinner, my daughter declared it to be "the best day ever."
I asked her if she really meant it, that this day and this party held the number one spot on her Best Day Ever List. I reminded her about our beach vacation, my brother's glamorous wedding, starting First Grade, and other events in our lives that could just as easily top the list.
Raphaela agreed and said, "I have a lot of best days ever."
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This morning on the way to school, Raphaela asked me, "Which nation does God love best?"
Me: God loves all his creations and all his people. Like our friends in Singapore, they are not Jewish and God loves them too.
Raphaela: And what about the Arabs?
Me: God created all people, including the Arabs. God loves them, though sometimes he wishes that they would behave a bit better.
Raphaela: And what would happen if the Arabs behaved better and everyone was nice to each other?
Me: Planet Earth would be a great place to live.
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