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Pater: Named after a great man
Posted by Pater , Monday, November 21, 2011 6:39 PM
On Tue 16 Mar 1952 BC or thereabouts, Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah. 8 days later he was circumcised thus beginning 3,000 years of tradition and a ton of bad jokes (Why are Jewish men circumcised? Because Jewish women won't touch anything unless it's 20 percent off.) And so it was done and so it was established. Every Jewish boy for three millenia has experienced a "little off the top" without even stepping foot into a barber shop. And at 7.45ish on Monday 21st November at Toras Emes Synagogue in Toronto, AJ2, you joined the club (at cut price membership).
Yes, obviously Pater ensured a ton of photos and videos were taken. Yes, obviously Mater forbade any of the explicit photos and certainly none of the videos to be shown to anyone. Ever. So here are some G Rated photos from the big day.
But, AJ2, you should know that the day was deeply significant to Pater and Mater, and not just because of the religious and spiritual aspect of you entering into the Covenant of Abraham. Today you were named after a great man, a man who, even after two years, is still deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him: your Grandpa Toronto. 
As Pater said at the breakfast after the ceremony, your Grandpa Toronto's time with us was too brief and it is our deepest regret that you and AJ1 will never know him; never see the twinkle in his eye as he tells a joke or makes a play on words; never pull on his moustache; never receive his ultimate accolade, “ah, this one's a smart one”; never learn from all that this warm, intelligent, God fearing man had to impart. Pater has many duties as a father but perhaps the most important one is to teach you and AJ1, everything you would have learned sitting on the lap of your Grandpa Toronto. And Pater's not just referring to his encyclopedic knowledge of economics, finance, the English language and literature, or even single malt whisky. When Pater thinks of Grandpa Toronto the one attribute that always stands out was the extent he went to avoid conflict. He wasn't scared to express his opinion but at the same time he was someone who actively pursued peace with his fellow Man. And, AJ2, Mater and Pater hope that you and your sister will continue in your Grandpa Toronto's footsteps and grow into warm, friendly, loving, wise, respectful adults who avoid conflict and strive for peace.
