I am definitely not going to insert myself into the discussion about the merits of the various methods of childbirth. Certainly it is a woman’s right to choose whether she wants an epidural, water birth, midwife, or any other conceivable method of achieving one of the most amazing human feats – giving birth to a child.
This week I discovered a new definition of natural childbirth. While Malkie and I were in the hospital for the birth of our baby boy, I was reciting the customary chapters of Tehillim in prayer that all should go well for mother and baby. The recitation of these particular Psalms during childbirth, are part of the directives given by the 3rd Chabad Rebbe to his sons. As I was reading, I observed that most of the Psalms deal with healing and salvation. I was curious to find Psalm 104 on the list.
Psalm 104 is King David marveling at G-d’s handiwork known to us as nature. How does it fit into the list of the prayers for healing and salvation? As I thought more about it – it hit me. A woman giving birth to a child is a great – perhaps the greatest - wonder of nature. Think of all of the things that need to happen in order for all to go well and imagine that baby just emerging in the way that it does – truly a miracle that we call nature. We can really echo King David’s statement “how wondrous are Your works O G-d.”
Another wonder of nature is the intelligence G-d instilled within humanity to develop the medical knowledge and technology to make the process more safe. For me an epidural is no less natural than a water birth or one without pain management. They are both the products of the human mind created by Hashem.
As I read Psalm 104 and the ones that followed against the background of the doctors and nurses “doing their thing” to help the baby’s passage into the world, I was moved by this profound discovery that was tucked into a simple list of Psalms (that I had already recited many times earlier without realizing).
Malkie and I are very grateful to Hashem for the kindness He continues to bestow upon us in the form of these miracles hidden in nature.
Shane (Yeshaya Leib) Schreiber is a recent graduate of UNO. Since the graduation was on Shabbat – precluding him from being there, Dr. John Williams the dean of UNO agreed to hold a private graduation ceremony just for him on Monday. This is what we call a Kiddush Hashem – a young man whose principles take priority over all and he is respected for that. We are proud to have him as a member of our community. Mazal Tov and best of luck in your new life as a member of the 99%.
We have all been following the aftermath of the horrific tornado in Oklahoma. Chabad of OKC has taken a leading role in the relief efforts. To see and support their work go to www.jewishokc.com/relief. One of our own community members, Brooke Weiss is taking a leading role in bringing help from New Orleans. Brooke shared with me that she feels a strong desire to help after having been a beneficiary of help post-Katrina. She is urging New Orleanians to contribute via the website or donate gift cards, clothing and supplies, which she and her daughters will be driving up to OKC within the next few weeks. Brooke can be reached at [email protected].
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin