Askmoses-A Jews Resource
Is any candle kosher for Shabbat candle-lighting?
Browse our archives

The Scholar is ready to answer your question. Click the button below to chat now.

Scholar Online:

Type in your question here:

What is a Shalom Zachar and what is the reason for it?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Mitzvot » Circumcision | Subscribe | What is RSS?

PRINT EMAIL COMMENT

It is customary to make a party or get-together for friends and family on the first Friday night (Shabbat) after a baby boy is born. This is called a "Sholom Zochor," loosely translated as "a time for wishing peace to the male child."

The Sholom Zochor is usually held in the home of the newborn following the Shabbat meal. Refreshments are served and words of Torah are shared. As the gathering takes place on Shabbat, it is important that all food and drinks should be prepared prior to the onset of Shabbat.

Several different explanations are offered for the custom of shalom zachar:

1) It is a thanksgiving meal. We are offering thanks to G-d that the baby was born safe and sound. Birth (especially in the past) was a very dangerous time for the (mother and) baby, so we thank G-d that the baby survived this ordeal.1

2) We come to console the child who has just forgotten all the Torah he studied while in his mother's womb (see Niddah 30b). For this reason many people serve beans or chickpeas at the Sholom Zochor, since these are foods served at the house of a mourner.

3) According to Kabbalah, a child is not ready to be circumcised until he has gone through a Shabbat, for the Shabbat provides the infant with the spiritual power necessary to enter into a lasting covenant with Hashem. (This is (one of) the inner reasons why the Brit is on the eight day, to ensure that a Shabbat passes). For this reason we make a special celebration on the Shabbat after the baby is born.2 [The advantage of this reason is that we can also understand why shalom zachars are only done for boys.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Terumat Hadeshen, vol. 1, s. 269.
  • 2. Based on the Zohar, beginning of Parshas Tazria.

ADD A COMMENT

Please email me when new comments are posted (you must be  logged in).

RELATED CATEGORIES

Life Cycle » Circumcision » The Customs
Shabbat
(pl: Shabbatot). Hebrew word meaning "rest." It is a Biblical commandment to sanctify and rest on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. This commemorates the fact that after creating the world in six days, G-d rested on the seventh.
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism. The word Kaballah means "reception," for we cannot physically perceive the Divine, we merely study the mystical truths which were transmitted to us by G-d Himself through His righteous servants.
Hashem
"The Name." Out of respect, we do not explicitly mention G-d's name, unless in the course of prayer. Instead, "Hashem" is substituted.
Brit
[Lit. Covenant] Circumcision. The act of removing ones foreskin 8 days after birth, perpetuating a covenant with G-d originally established by the Patriarch Abraham.
Niddah
A menstruating woman. A niddah may not have intimate relations with her husband until she immerses in a ritual pool of water.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.