Upsherin Essays

Education is, and always has been, the key to Jewish survival. But the essence of education is the imparting of values, not information.

An understanding the kabbalistic nature of the Nazirite, and hair in general, sheds light on the inner significance of the Upsherin ceremony.

Then it was haircut time. I squeezed my eyes shut, half expecting the same cries I heard at his bris, which seems like it was just yesterday. But when I looked up, he was grinning.

When I got my haircut, it was an experience. But for Jacob, it was an event. I had a professional cut my hair. He had his family and friends contribute . . .

The custom of celebrating a boy’s first haircut has been around for hundreds of years, at least.