Pictures from the Britot HaBat, Thursday, July 11, 2002

On the twins' eighth day, we held a Brit to welcome them into the covenant and to announce their names. [1]

First, we held morning services in our backyard.

Morning Services in the Backyard

Then the girls were brought out, to the sound of the Shofar (thanks, Jeff!).

Presenting the twins.

Holding the twins are Rebecca's sister Jennifer and Josh's sister Sarah.

Then the girls were welcomed into the Covenant of Israel. We wrapped each of them in a Tallit (a special Tallit, bought for Rebecca by Josh, in Tzfat, Israel). For each girl, 4 relatives were called up. Each of them recited a verse from the Sh'ma and wrapped one corner of the Tallit around the baby. [2]

Barbara's brother Bill holding Baby A (soon to be Lena)

Josh's father Stu holding Baby B (soon to be Vered)

The babies in their sweaters

More pictures

Then Rebecca and Josh gave a short D'var Torah [3].

Rebecca and Josh reading a section from the Talmud

Crowd Reaction

Finally, it was time to announce the names. Rebecca and Josh's friend Dahlia read the name of Baby A: Lena Mayan, and recited a traditional blessing.

Dahlia announcing Lena's name

Lena was named in memory of Josh's grandmother Lena. We invited up Josh's mother to speak about Lena.

From left: Josh's Uncle David, Aunt Susan, and mother Joan

The name Mayan is in honor of Mitch's stepmother Miriam. Mayan means "fountain" (often in connection with "fountain of learning") and is a word associated with Miriam and the Well that followed her in the desert.

Mitch talking about Miriam

Then Dahlia read the name of Baby B: Vered Shulamit.

Dahlia announcing Vered's name

Vered was named in memory of Barbara's mother Rose. (Vered means Rose in Hebrew). Barbara was called up to talk about Rose.

Josh, Barbara, and Barbara's brother Bill

Shulamit is in honor of Josh's grandfather Simon. David, Joan, and Susan came up to talk about Simon.

Uncle David, Joan, Aunt Susan

More pictures

Then we were all very happy

And then we went inside to eat! (No pictures)

[Note 1] The word "Brit" means "covenant", and "Bat" means "daughter". Boys are typically named at a "Brit Milah" (circumcision) on the 8th day. Since Rebecca and Josh are seriously Egalitarian, they chose to name the girls at a homologous ceremony on their 8th day. This is something that is done relatively often these days. Rebecca and Josh assembled the details of the ceremony from a variety of sources.

Since the twins were born after dark on Wednesday, July 3rd, their Hebrew date of birth would be Thursday July 4th, so the 8th day is Thursday July 11th. Aren't you glad you asked?

[Note 2] The Tallit, or prayer shawl, is one of the basic symbols in Jewish prayer. In each of its 4 corners is a specially knotted fringe. The fringes are intended to remind us of the mitzvot (commandments). The Sh'ma ("Hear O Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is One") is the most important prayer in Judiasm. Among the verses we recited was: "Looking upon [the fringes], you will be reminded of all the mitzvot of the Lord and fulfill them and not be seduced by your heart or led astray by your eyes."

The Tallit is also a symbol of communal inclusion. Weddings, for example, are usually performed under a Tallit.

[Note 3] Literally, "Word of Torah". A short commentary on a relevant verse of Torah or Talmud.