Daddy's Acknowledgement of Emily on the Occasion of her Bat Mitzvah (May 2007)

Emily,

Everything about you has surpassed my expectations, even your birthday. You see, I saw Mom’s ultrasound, and for months, I was certain you were a boy. Ever since then, you have had me securely wrapped around your little finger.

I do a lot of public speaking but collecting my thoughts for today was not easy. Not because I don’t have anything to say. Not because there isn’t anything I want to tell you in front of all these people; but because there is so much to tell you.

I’ve taken great joy in watching you accomplish the milestones in a child’s life. And I am especially proud of what you have accomplished today. I hold you to a high standard and I love watching you strive to do your best.

It’s important to make note of the fact that you are one of very few people to have actually written a torah, the very one from which you read, in fact.

The Torah teaches it is the responsibility of each Jew to personally write a Sefer Torah. We read in Deuteronomy: “Write for Yourselves this Song, and Teach it to the Children of Israel.” Our sages interpret this as the 613th mitzvah - the final commandment.

A Sefer Torah contains 304,805 letters and each letter can be said to complete the Torah. Tradition tells us that one who writes even a single letter in a Torah, or causes one to be written through their support, fulfills this commandment.

Of those fortunate enough to fulfill this commandment, fewer still read from that particular scroll on the occasion of their Bat Mitzvah service. What an extraordinary thing!

I would like to tell you a few things that I think are important for you to remember, not necessarily for today, but things worth considering at times in your life when you need to make a choice or a decision.

Look forward to your future but don’t skip the present. Do fulfilling things. Aspire to be fondly remembered and admired by your family and true friends. Keep in mind: insight is better than rigor.

Most importantly, don’t confuse your goals with your strategy. That is to say, make sure the things you want to achieve ultimately, are within the reach of the strategies you select to pursue them. Don’t settle. Don’t be afraid of change.

Hearing these words for the first time in the midst of the excitement of your Bat Mitzvah service may hold little meaning, but I am hopeful you will keep this note from me and read it from time to time. I believe the words will hold a different meaning for you at the different stages of your life and in the context of your experience.

I’m very proud of you today, again, since you give me cause to be proud of you often. Keep up the good work. I love you.

Daddy