Upshernish is a ceremonial event to mark a boy’s first haircut. This ritual is usually performed when the boy turns 3 years old, as there is an ancient custom not to cut a boy’s hair before that age. At the first haircut, the child is left with a peyote, or “edge”. From this point on, the child begins to wear a kippah (yarmulke) and tzitzit, which is a garment with four corners that have special brushes on them, according to Torah regulations. Also on this day the child begins the study of the Torah, specifically the alef-bet, the alphabet, which is the basis of all knowledge.