I recently had the honor to bestow a Hebrew name on one of our new children. David and Lisa Scher welcomed a new son into the world. The experience of naming Samuel (Shmuel) was awe inspiring in every sense of the word. In Hebrew the word for awe is Yirah. This one little Hebrew word captures the English words fear, wonderment, and awe.

Fear: A new child must face a world that is far from perfect. While I do not have my own children yet, the awesome responsibility that comes with bringing a child into this world is as overwhelming as it is wonderful.

Wonderment: The joy and celebration of the great potential of a new life. This sense of amazement perhaps balances the fear that one might have for their most precious gift, their child. As I gazed into the eyes of Samuel I was filled with such a sense of wonder. What a great future this young son of Israel will have. He will grow up in a community that will nurture and protect him, learn from him and help teach him how to make moral choices that will better his community and the world.

Awe: "God was in this place and I did not know it." I did not expect to feel the presence of God as strongly as I did during the ceremony. The miracle of birth, the ineffable feeling that a new soul had been permanently added to the world. As one who struggles with his belief in God, the indescribable and undefinable feeling of the Divine was comforting and truly awe-inspiring.

My blessings and thanks to the entire Scher family for inviting me to share that sacred moment. The many sanctified and special moments we share will bring such richness to my life and the life of our community.