Creating Children

At the beginning of this week’s parsha, the Torah talks about a woman giving birth to a “male” and “female”, but then it says, “when the days of her purification have been completed, whether for a son or for a daughter . . .” (12:6). Only when a parent follows the path of purity, thereby setting a good example for his offspring, will his children desire to follow that path. Only then may the child be termed a “son” or “daughter” (not merely a “male” or “female”) who has a relationship with his parent and is likely to want to continue that relationship for a lifetime. (R’ Moshe Sternbuch)