It's been a while since my last post, although I have good reason for my reticence...thank God I gave birth to a baby girl at the end of December. In honor of her birth I decided to post one of my latest designs, which is an intricate illumination of the Birkhat HaBat. The fleshy leaves that decorate the blessing are inspired by a page from the Kaufman Haggadah (Spain, late 14th century). There is a beautiful custom for parents to bless their children on Friday nights before the start of the Friday night Sabbath dinner. The blessing for girls states:
May God make you like Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah. May Hashem bless you and safeguard you. May Hashem illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you. May Hashem turn His countenance to you and establish peace for you.
There is a separate blessing for boys...maybe that will be a future design.
Look out for my next post which will explain the origin of this custom!
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