The Babbler - The Newsletter of Midrash BEN ISH HAI (Page 8)
 
Ask the Hakham
We receive many questions connected with our traditions and heritage, especially in view of Hakham Ya’aqob Menashe’s expertise and knowledge in this area. We plan to bring you a different one in each newsletter. Click here to submit questions to “Ask the Hakham”, but only questions that we feel will be of interest to our readers will be published. If you have a specific question that requires a response, please contact the Hakham directly at the Midrash by phone or mail.
 Q. I remember that we used to say Seeman Tob for the birth of a boy, but nowadays mostly hear only “Mazzal Tob”. Which is correct?  A. Sepharadeem say “Seeman Tob” on the birth of a boy and “Mazzal Tob” for the birth of a girl. You should not change from this custom. 

 Hakham Yoseph Hayyeem author of “Ben Ish Hai” mentions several reasons for this in his holy work ”Mal-akh Habberith”. We will only cite a few examples here: 

Seeman Tob, which means a good sign implies that the birth of a son will push away harm and suffering and will help bring  much good and blessing. 
Mazzal Tob means that the birth of a girl will bring good luck and has a basis from the book of the Prophet Yeshayahu. In any case the birth of a child, boy or girl, is a great blessing. 

This is the Sephardi custom. Ashkenazim, however, only say Mazzal Tob
This picure shows some of the students and staff of the Midrash High School at an end of year informal gathering.

We hope to bring you soon, Be’Ezrath Hashem, news about the High School in a dedicated mailing.
You can contact Midrash BEN ISH HAI: 

By phone:
(718) 830-3594 or
(516) 487-6676 

By Voice Mail or Fax: (718) 997-1751 

By Mail:
P.O.Box 751062, Forest Hills, NY 11375-8662, 

or 

P.O.Box 220133. Great Neck, NY 11022 

By Internet: http://www.midrash.org 

By e-mail: mbih@midrash.org
 
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