Sandwiched between the simchah of a boy's brisand the simchah of his bar mitzvah is yet another simchah: that of his upsherin. In actuality, this is really the celebration of a child beginning to learn Torah, and indeed it is cause for a truly joyous occasion.

What exactly is the source for the minhag of an upsherin? What are the reasons behind it? What does it entail? In The Upsherin, you will find a wealth of information and sources that clarify the background and the many halachos and minhagim that relate to a child's third birthday and his introduction to Torah study. The minhag of bringing the child to the "Aleph-Beis rebbi" in cheder is explained in detail, as well as the halachos of yarmulka and tzitzis as they apply to children.

May the upsherin be done earlier than the child's third birthday?
Who should cut the child's hair, and what should be done with the hair afterward?
What is the proper size for a yarmulka and tzitzis?
What does the chiyuv of chinuch entail?
Why is a child's Torah learning considered to be even greater than that of our gedolim?

All of these questions and more are addressed in this one-of-a-kind book that is both comprehensive and enlightening, yet easy-to-read and enjoyable.

By Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Weber