Many cultures and faiths have celebrations that serve as a "coming of age" or rite of passage for their maturing young. The Bat Mitzvah tradition within Judaism is an excellent concept, though not explicitly commanded in Scripture. In a sense, it is a rite marking the passage from childhood to pre-adulthood, and from innocence to moral and spiritual accountability. It is a practice that has been observed since before Yeshua's (Jesus') ministry and has continued to this day. Bat means daughter, and mitzvah means commandment; hence, on this special day shown in the photos below, we formally recognized Marah as a precious daughter of the commandments. We recognize her as a precious daughter striving toward obedience to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...and one who has given herself to Yeshua the Messiah. Marah had worked with Steve for about a year before this, studying and writing and memorizing in preparation for this day.
This past week, we drove up to Illinois to have the celebration at Grace Fellowship in Maple Park. The week was full of family visits, and the preparing of enough mostacciolli to feed hundreds (despite only having 65 people on the guest list--oops--can't help it, we're Italian...we OVER FEED people. It's what we do.). Then, the day arrived:
Auntie Sissy did Marah's hair while Belle focused on more important pursuits: devouring a recent birthday gift from Mimi and Bucky.
The Olsons and Kennedys came early and got a chance to pose with their friend.
Proud Daddy opened with a few words.
Praying before Marah took the podium.
Belle sang "I Believe" by Roman and Alaina.
Both girls led worship with the hymn "I Come to the Garden"--precious.
Then, it was time for Marah's presentation. She did a good job covering the Hebrew aleph bet and describing the way to form each letter. As people who believe that the very words of our Heavenly Father in Scripture were spoken in this language...and that this same language was likely used to speak creation into being, and then was carved into tablets of stone for His people to hold dear...well, we find it important to learn it. It is an amazing language, and makes the Tanakh (Old Testament) come alive for our family. After her Hebrew presentation, she went over the divisions of Scripture (both the Tanakh and the Gospels/Apostolic writings), then followed with an explanation of the Sabbath and Biblical Holidays (or moedim, in Hebrew). Lastly, she read from her favorite psalm--Psalm 23--in Hebrew.
Our family praying a blessing over Marah.
The girls closed our time with a favorite song, "The L-RD Bless You and Keep You". There was also a precious time of words of encouragement from family and friends. It was an amazing time, and I am so glad that my daughter has this time of celebrating full ownership of her personal walk of faith to look back on and treasure.
And of course, there was cake.
And a ridiculous amount of food.
The Merry Family
Mimi and Bucky
The Rothrock Clan
The Hillers
The Halder-Beckman Family
The Gavins
The Holts
The Kuglers
The Larson Duo
The Hedricks
The Kennedys
The Olsons
The Johnsons
At the end of the evening, Marah opened some sweet gifts and cards from loved ones.
13 gold dollar coins from Aunt Swede & Uncle Cliff
Perfect--a lavender head covering from the Olsons!
A lovely tea cup and saucer from the Merry family
Ooooo--fancy necklace and jewelry box from the Holts.
Many cards with kind words and gifts enclosed...she took the time to read each word very carefully. :)
Perfect mini-journal/notepad from the Johnsons
Mimi and Bucky gave Marah The Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels--a treasure of a resource.
This picture proves that I was there. I can't believe that I got a picture of everyone with Marah...except our family!
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