On my Son’s Induction into the Israeli Armed Forces: A Feminist Mother’s Prayer

You were a miracle child, discovered one month old in utero when I had a cyst removed. Eight months and eight days later you were inducted into the Jewish faith, with a cut, a knife, blood, and wine on a Shabbat morning during the month of Kislev while I huddled in the bedroom waiting for your cry. When you were thirteen, we said, "Baruch she-petaranu mi-onsho shel zeh," (Blessed be the One who absolves us of this one's punishment). We laughed, because you weren't a punishment, and thirteen was too young an age for us to be getting rid of you.