Hello: I was lucky enough to find your website
that has given me so much insight. I am pregnant with my third
child: I have a boy who is 10 and my daughter is 7. I am interested
in some information about preparation or blessings before the
C- section which is scheduled for Nov. My other 2 were normal
births. If you could, please let me know what kinds of things
I can do to get ready. Thank you very much and Shana Tova...
Shalom, Mazal Tov! In connection
with spiritual preparation for the birth of your new child, you
could try some of the following (there are not strict laws about
such things, but rather one should honestly try to follow one's
heart and soul. For more information on these and other traditions,
please refer to the auspicious
traditions section of the website.)
1)Just before they start operating
(maybe before they lay you down on the table) you should say "Yehee
Ratson M'Lifanecha Adonai Elohai sh'yehe esek ze lee l'rfua kee
Rofe Chinam Ata" (May it be your will, Lord my G-d, that
this undertaking will be for me for healing, because You are the
unjudging Doctor). - please note that the "ch"
in the word chinam indicates a gutteral "h."
2. To make bread and to take the
ritual "challah" with a blessing sometime in the ninth
month. (for more info, click
here).
3. To dip in a ritual bath (without
a blessing) during the ninth month. (You may want to check with
your doctor that the heat of the water in the ritual bath is OK
health-wise- if not you should forgo this step, or ask the local
mikvah to prepare a slightly cooler pool.)
4. To be extra careful/diligent
about lighting shabbat candles on time, and with nice candles
(you may want to try real oil) during the pregnancy.
5. To be careful to eat a meal
of a melave malka (a post-Shabbat meal on Saturday night). You
should llight candles (without a blessing) for this meal.
6. Before the c-section say Psalm
20 twelve times (Your husband should pray for you during the birth).
7. In general, you should pray
to G-d in your own words (or through reciting Psalms) in order
to get close to G-d.
8. To give charity before the
birth.
9. To take upon yourself one extra
mitzvah (you should do this without taking on the mitzvah as an
oath, but rather "I will try with G-d's help, if I can, to
take upon myself..."), or recommit to a mitzvah you feel
may have lapsed a bit.
May you be blessed with a good
birth and a healthy child, and raise all your family to Torah,
the Wedding Canopy, and Good Deeds- Rabbi D. Sperling
