You’re going to get a lot of gifts on your Bar Mitzva, Avraham (a lot of people love you!).
Of all the special gifts you’ll get, though, know that the greatest is a knowing soul. A knowing soul is the special gift of the Al-mighty. It means you can resemble Him and it enables a boy to be considered a man in the eyes of Jewish law. It’s important for you to know what is possible with a knowing soul.
You’ll perceive the preciousness in yourself and others, beyond results or the approval you enjoy from others. And freed from those worries, you will yearn to exert yourself – unconditionally – for the good of others and love of the right thing.
You’ll feel more deeply the stirrings of your loving heart toward your baby sister (and even your non-baby siblings).
You’ll feel the beauty of wisdom and its power to change a life and even the whole world.
You’ll see greatness in others, even in the eyes of those who feel confused or discouraged. Your heart will be moved with compassion and desire to bestow good.
You’ll sense the gift of commitment and its capacity to liberate you from the pain of self-absorption.
You’ll sense the vastness of life and your own inadequacy to tackle it. And you’ll taste the sweet vulnerability of standing before the Source of it all, knowing there’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and you’ll gladly surrender your heart.
A knowing soul is something you don’t make. It’s not something you can lose. It’s alert and ready for action at all times, even if you temporarily forget you have it. It’s your connection to the Source. Though there is much effort to invest in guarding this gift, the support of its Giver is always with you.
With much love and pride,
Tatty and Mommy