This post presents a poetic prayer recited by parents on the occasion of their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, comprised of gratitude to God, praise for their daughter, and blessings and prayers for her future. Sharon Levin shared this prayer on Ritualwell, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances.
Parental Prayer
We were taught – teach your children to swim. We watch you now, strokes bold and confident in all waters. May you continue to plunge in; adventurous, curious, risk taking, fully present, often choosing to struggle against the tide. Swim strong, yet pace yourself; breathe, reach, glide, breathe.
Song fills her mouth as waters fill the sea. May the songs never far from your lips be songs of joy, of gratitude, of confidence, of compassion. Dive into complex harmonies, deepening relationships, interests, commitments. For if we still carried timbrels I bet you would take yours everywhere, gathering hands, circling round.
Your ancestors were sustained by the wellspring of Torah. May you soak up every drop of deep nourishment your family provides, seeing yet avoiding bitter waters, choosing and strengthening that which is sweet in your inheritance.
May the security of God’s protective and loving care surround you, providing strength and courage in the face of fear, calm and solidity in the face of disruption, wisdom and presence of mind in the face of pressures from within and without.
With overflowing hearts we thank you, God, for the blessing that is our daughter.