by Leah Potash, S. Francisco
A yeshiva bochur young and pure
Standing tall and full of pride
He’s heading to yeshiva away from home
With his father at his side.
How did this happen, when did it come to be?
That my sweet little toddler grew up so rapidly.
The moment I’ve been dreading snuck up on me so fast
There’s no way of avoiding it, just dealing with it at last.
But how can I say goodbye to yet another child so dear
Oh how I wish each one could stay and not leave home year after year.
The pain is great I hold him tight and tears begin to flow.
For a long moment I truly feel it would be best if he doesn’t go.
Can’t he just stay here with me inside our nice warm nest?
Must he really fly out now, for him is this really the best?
Then he looks up, sees my tears and wonders why I fear
“Don’t worry Ma, it will all be good,” he whispers in my ear.
I know he’s right, it will be good this is for him, the best
To reach his full potential he must indeed leave the nest.
So I try to pull it together and set my feelings aside
I realize my job right now is to help him begin to fly.
I let go of him and bravely wish him the best
bigashmius, b’ruchnius, in learning and the rest.
Go dear son, spread your wings and fly with all your might
The potential lies within you to reach amazing heights.
Know that you have all it takes to be matzliach this year
Whatever you work hard to accomplish you’ll succeed so never fear.
Hashem is always with you, of course the Rebbe too
But just how high you’ll get to fly is ultimately up to you.
Go now and fly away, son oh so dear
And know you’ll always have your special place in the nest that stays right here.
i was crying, its so hard for me too! Yes, the one consoling thought is that they will mature into wonderful bochurim/mentchen who change the world for the better. Its a wonderful tradeoff, yet its not easy to do……kol hakavod for writing this!
ps, are you referring to Zal or Mesivta?
Was thinking the same thing when I read #9 and how can’t you miss them
I enjoyed your thoughts of Hart.
As a single Father (alone) of 20 + Years
I went to out of town Yeshiva and send my
Delicious Boy to out of town Yeshiva
After 8 Years of Yeshiva he returned home to me
HaShem send him a Woman before he was even dating
Empty Nest all over again
Now a grandfather of 2 …
My son now learns in Chollel full time
A long , long road
“Pappa G’”
This moved me so much. Thank you for expressing how I feel, too
Literally couldn’t stop crying I feel exactly the same way when one of my precious ones go may we merit to see them grow into good mature bochurim and gedolei yisroel which through them geula comes forth I am not chabad I’m what the Lubavitchers call misnagdim reading this article I realized that all Jews wether chabad or Flatbush have only one goal to bring gedolei yisroel in this world so beautiful and touching am yisroel chai!!!
My son just left for Yeshivah and you beautifully conveyed all my emotions. It’s hard but it’s for the best!
I think you echo every mothers sentiment at this time when we send our bochurim off to Yeshiva.. Hatzlocha Raba
Been there done that 11x! Gets harder each time. As long as we see the nachas bezh” , its worth ir.
Thank you
may he and all your other incredible children, bring much nachas to you and your wonderful husband!
your feelings was very well expressed.
brought me to tears.
and to more tears.
im so sorry to read that!!
I hope you enjoy your children and show them lots of love
i have 2 boys in yeshiva and very time they leave this is exactly how i feel. I get so emotional even though i know its best for them
Thank you mrs.Leah potash for writing this bc as the child who leaves it’s so hard to understand what my mother feels. I’m sure that would be very relatable for her.
And I’m already crying for the day they grow up leave home
;(
May you only have nachas
If only these moments could last longer!
Well written!
Wow! Beautiful! Made me cry. This is EXACTLY how I feel! Yes your son will bring you lots of nachas iyH! It’s just really really hard to see them go! Haven’t made peace with it yet- real mesirus nefesh for me- but at the same time wouldn’t want it any other way – they grow into wonderful bochurim!
Brought tears to my eyes. Morah Leah was my 1st grade teacher and taught me how to read and write!
Crying and my oldest is only 2!
So we’ll written. Lots of nachas
and i breathed a sigh of relief … one down, one to go lol
There’s nothing new under the sun 🌞
So touching!! This brought me to tears! Expressed my feelings exactly. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Beautifully said!
Wow Leah! So well written and meaningful! He should be successful in all his endeavors and you and Rabbi should merit to be very proud of him!
Captures the feelings of every mother!
So many of us feel and have felt the same.You will IYH see tremendous nachas and growth from your son and will then be assured it is all well worth the sacrifice we make to send them so far away.
So pure and buetiful.
thanks for sharing