Last evening, we had the merit to celebrate the Upshernish of Pinchas Eliyahu. It was a very happy and holy occasion. Pinchas was happy to have his hair cut, and look like ‘a Chosid’.
At age 3, a child comes to an age of understanding. This is why traditionally we wait until the child is 3 years old so that he understands that he is fulfilling a Biblical commandment of leaving the side locks. So in essence the haircut is the side point here. It is customary to have a Cohen, Levite and Israelite cut the child’s hair, then everyone else takes a turn.
On this day, G-d sends great blessings for the child .One person asked the Rebbe if he can postpone his child’s haircut, to which the Rebbe answered:
”When one pushes off this custom, the blessings from Hashem also get pushed off, and the effects will not be felt for some time”.
From this day, parents are more careful to teach mitzvot, such as blessings on food, short prayers, and washing hands.
We thank Hashem for all the blessings he bestowed upon us, and for the miracles that He did for us, since we came to establish Chabad of Japan.
The first picture is of the children cutting
The second picture is of Zvika, a cohen, cutting