On Bringing a Child Home for the First Time

By Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

With joy and anticipation we bring our son
into our home for the first time.
How lovely are your tents, o Jacob, your dwelling places o Israel,
Ma Tovu O-ha-lekha Yaakov 
May our home always be mikdash ma'at, a small sanctuary,
filled with your presence.
May our home be your sanctuary, our child,
A place where arms shall cradle you and voices sing you lullabies,
where hands shall uphold you and eyes delight to watch you grow.
In this home may we reach out to each other in love.
In this home may our hearts and those of our children
be turned to one another.
In this home may we create bonds of trust and care
that will keep us close as we grow together as a family.
Bless us, Source of Life, all of us together
with the light of Your presence.