Guide to Jewish WI 2023-2024 FLIP C - Flipbook - Page 7
Life Cycle
BRIT MILAH (Covenant of circumcision)
MIKVAH (Ritual bath)
You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it
shall be a token of the covenant between Me and you.
— Genesis 17:11
“Living” water (collected rain water piped into a pool) is used for
purification. During the days of the Temples in Jerusalem, there were
many occasions when ritual purification was required in order to
participate in the Temple services. Today, only women still are required
under Jewish law to immerse themselves at special times (before
marriage, after childbirth, after the menstrual cycle). Immersion also is
required by Jewish law before conversion. Many observant men immerse
themselves before the Sabbath and holidays for spiritual reasons.
Male babies are circumcised on the eighth
day, barring health problems, to symbolize the
covenant between God and the Jewish people.
SIMCHAT BAT (Rejoicing for a daughter)
Traditionally, a daughter is named in the
synagogue during the Torah reading after her
birth. Some people now develop their own
ceremonies to welcome a new daughter.
PIDYON HABEN (Redemption of the firstborn)
Sanctify unto Me all the first-born, whatever opens
the womb among the children of Israel, both of
man and of beast, it is Mine. — Exodus 13:2
Redemption of the first-born son (if he is the family’s
first child) takes place 30 days after birth. In ancient
Israel, the first-born were dedicated to serve God
in the Temple. To redeem them, five shekels were
paid to the kohen (priest) to serve in the boys’ stead.
Today, the kohen is given five silver dollars, which
are donated to charity, and a festive meal follows.
BAR AND BAT MITZVAH
The ceremony to honor the coming of age of
males originated in the Middle Ages. There is
no source for this celebration in the Torah.
In traditional settings, this is the first time that a young
man is called to bless the Torah. The 13-year-old thus
becomes responsible for the mitzvot (commandments)
of praying three times a day, participating in a minyan
(prayer quorum) and putting on tefillin every morning.
Over the past 50 years, girls have embraced the
opportunity to celebrate a Jewish coming of age at 12 or
13. In egalitarian settings, girls celebrate through saying
blessings before and after the Torah reading, counting in
a prayer quorum, and observing Jewish commandments.
Non-traditional ceremonies have emerged within
the last 50 years for young women (ages 12 or 13)
and adults past traditional bar/bat mitzvah age.
CONFIRMATION
A ceremony held in Reform and Conservative
synagogues, usually during the observance of Shavuot, to
celebrate the Jewish commitment of the congregation’s
10th or 11th graders. The students usually have
completed post-bar/bat mitzvah Jewish study.
CHANUKAT HABAYIT (Dedicating the home)
And these words, which I command these this day shall be upon
thy heart ... and you shall write them upon the doorposts of your
house and upon your gates.— Deuteronomy: 6:6-9
Affixing mezuzot (decorative casings containing parchments
with biblical inscriptions) to the doorposts of a new home is
cause for celebration. Traditionally, this is done within 30 days
of moving into a house or apartment. Mezuzot are placed on
the upper third of the doorpost, on the right side as one enters.
The ceremony is followed by refreshments and rejoicing.
MARRIAGE
And the Lord said: “It is not good that the man should be alone,
I shall make him a helpmate for him.”— Genesis 2:18
One of the first blessings every parent bestows upon a child is that he or
she reach the marriage canopy. This wedding consists of several parts.
The main elements are kiddush erusin (sanctification of betrothal); the
betrothal blessing; presentation of the ring; reading of the ketubah (marriage
contract) and its presentation to the bride; recitation of the seven marriage
blessings; drinking of wine to sanctify the marriage and breaking of the
glass to remember the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem even amidst
the joy of the occasion. Traditional weddings are preceded by the bedeken,
in which the groom places the veil over the bride’s head after making
certain that he is getting the correct bride. This custom stems from the
patriarch Jacob, who was fooled into marrying his intended bride’s sister.
DIVORCE
Judaism recognizes that not every marriage is successful and allows for
divorce. Financial provisions are made in the ketubah (marriage contract).
Under Jewish law, a get (religious divorce) is required in addition to a civil
divorce. Although both parties must agree to the get, no grounds are required.
The beit din (religious court) prepares the get and handles the documents.
DEATH
Jewish tradition recognizes death as the completion of life. Burial takes
place as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. Traditionally, the
body is washed by members of a chevra kadisha (burial society) and
dressed in white linen garments, so that everyone goes to the grave
equally. Preserving the body through embalming is prohibited by
Jewish law, as are metal caskets, which preserve the remains. Judaism
has a formalized mourning procedure with seven days of intense
mourning (shiva) followed by 30 days of semi-mourning (shloshim).
After a parent’s death, semi-mourning continues for a year.
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