Parents often bless their children in ways beyond their understanding. What obligation do we have to share the meaning behind our actions and words?
When Rabban Gamaliel gave his daughter in marriage, she asked for his blessing. He said: “May I not see your return.” When her son was born, she asked again for her father’s blessing, and he said: “May it be God’s will that the words: ‘Woe is me’ cease not out of your mouth.”
“Why is it, my father,” asked the daughter, “that you curse me on my two days of rejoicing?”
“These are indeed blessings and not curses,” responded Rabban Gamaliel. “If peace shall abide in your family life, you will not return to my home to live. And if yoru son is strong and hearty, you will continually remark: ‘Woe is me; the child ate too little; he drank not his milk; he is late for school.'”
(Bereshit Rabbah, 26)
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