Shir Ha'Maalos

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

There is an ancient Jewish custom which has been practiced for centuries, to adorn the newborn's home with pieces of parchment or paper on which are inscribed holy verses, angelic names, and the Psalm, "Shir HaMaalos - A Song of Ascents...My help will come from the L-rd."

It is customary to hang a Shir HaMaalos in the room of the new mother and the newborn, immediately upon the expectant mother's arrival at the hospital. This serves as a safeguard for the mother etc., both during the birth itself so that it will proceed normally and easily, and also during the following days, so that they will survive for a long life.

Another reason given is that this is a part of [the child's] education - so that the first thing that the child sees will be something holy (from this we may also infer how important it is to ensure that the child does not look at pictures of unclean things).

... Therefore, it is important to bring to the attention of Jewish people everywhere that even when the birthing mother and infant are in the hospital, one should endeavor to hang up a "Shir HaMaalos" in the room of the mother and the child, and if possible to attach one to the cradle of the baby, similar to the custom which is practiced in their home. For these virtuous acts are even more important the closer they are to the birth.

Posted: Mon, Nov 29 2004, 8:52 pm Post subject:

Motek some even hang on the front door on the outside of their home....why?
I know why on the atchual door of thier room, crib, labour room etc but this I don't understand!

Guest

the first thing the child sees is the furniture/ floor/ walls/ equipment, then doctor, mother, nurces, father.

I always have a sidur in my labor bag, and since all my kids were born on Fri, they heard me daven kabalas shabbos, mke kidush and bench. I think, I'm covered here 8)

Posted: Tue, Nov 30 2004, 1:40 am Post subject:

Guest

yes, natural, on their own! LOL
it's a hazaka now, we did it 3 times,
so the kids-to-come BE'H, better keep that in mind Wink

we deicided that it makes sence - from warm & cosy tummy where they learnd with an angel into the holy Shabbos. Aren't they smart, BA'H?
Wink

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 30 2004 Posts: 4367

umm guys- isn't it shir La ma'alos?
I also put a tzedak abox and picture of the rebbe in the bassinett (and a picture of the siblings... but thats just for me.)
_________________
girl - 12 ys. * girl - 10 ys. * boy - 9 ys. * boy - 7 ys. * girl -5 years *boy 4 ys. *baby boy - 2 ys.

when kids are spoiled they are fresh.

Posted: Tue, Nov 30 2004, 1:05 pm Post subject:

Gold Member Joined: Aug 18 2004 Posts: 1352

I do that too. We were told to put ther cards on each doorway of our home.

sara

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 30 2004 Posts: 4367

no- I always refrerred to it as shir lamalos and someone who deals with distributing these (if I say who she is you'll know who I am Twisted Evil

) always refers to it as shir lamalos. it is an error of people just assuming and never actually looking at it!! I was corrected by my first birth by my hubbby- cause I also called it hamalos.

Posted: Sun, Dec 05 2004, 3:41 pm Post subject:

Forever young you have special kids I must say any child that is born on shabbos has a very special personality and midot enjoy your holy kids Very Happy

_________________
Please say tehillim for Elezar Menachem Mann Ben Rochel

Guest

thank you, supermom, I'll take the compliment,
even though they all were born erev shabbos

I would hate to have to go to the hospital on shabbos, but b4 shabbos is just perfect Smile

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 11 2004 Posts: 19241

perfect? I would hate to be stuck in the hospital over shabbos. I guess its better though than actually going to the hospital on shabbos.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 30 2004 Posts: 4367

hey I loved being in the hospital over shabbos. 2 of mine were born on shabbos- one friday night the other shabbos afternoon.
no phone calls, no buzzing no visitors (unless they lived close by) it was great. I was able to rest and recover and be only with my new baby and by the time I was ready for the real world- shabbos was over.

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 11 2004 Posts: 19241

you must have a beautiful hospital or something.
I wanted to go home almost as soon as I gave birth, they were going to let me also, but they remembered I had strep B so I had to stay there for 24 hours... Sad

after 24 hours they came up with another reason I should stay another day, but I was like "I'm halfway out the door, are you sure I need to stay?"
they let me leave, bh, only one night in the hospital!!

Guest

I actually love it b/c nobody can disturb me. The only person I miss is my dh. Right after the labour I don't really want to see/ hear/ talk to too many people.

Silver Member Joined: Sep 09 2004 Posts: 548

my baby was born erev shabbos and on shabbos when my husband went to name the baby I had a hard time b/c I wasn't sure if I was allowed to push the call button for the nurse.
_________________
AFS-04/04
MYS-08/05
BRS-11/06

Guest

I think yo can, but ask your Rov.
I just walked to the nirce's station
Also, somebody came it at regular intervals, so sometimes I just waited for somebody to come.