Rites Of Passage

Question 1

What happens during the naming ceremony and when does it happen

Answer 1

The naming ceremony happens on the first shabbat after the birth of the baby . Prayers and blessings are first said by the father of the child , at this point the baby is formally named if it is a girl ( if it is a boy this happens at the circumcision ) .

Note : if the family are reform jews both the parents will say blessings and it may not be on the shabbat after the baby is born

Question 2

What is the significance of the naming ceremony

Answer 2

The naming ceremony formally introduces the baby to the Jewish community and to God

Question 3

What happens during Brit Milah and when does it happen

Answer 3

Brit Milah happens 8 days after the baby boy is born .Then the baby is placed on an empty chair to symbolise the presence of Elijah . Then the baby is placed on the knee of the person who has been chosen as the ‘companion of the child’ . The baby’s father then blesses his son and the boy is then circumcised . Then to celebrate the family have a celebratory meal

Question 4

What is the significance of Brit Milah

Answer 4

Brit Milah recalls the covenant between God and Abraham . God told Abraham the circumcision would ´ be the sign of the covenant between you and me ‘ . The circumcision also serves as a lifetime reminder of the fact that the Jews are Gods chosen people

Question 5

What happens during the redemption of the first born son and when does it happen

Answer 5

The redemption of the first born son happens 31 days after the birth of the first born son. Some orthodox jews give 5 silver coins to a kohen (descendent of the priests who used to work in the temple) to redeem their child from temple service . Prayers are also said asking that the child ‘may enter into the torah ‘ into marriage and into good deeds

Question 6

What is the significance of the redemption

Answer 6

It comes from the commandment in numbers ‘but you shall have the first born of man redeemed take as their redemption price the équivalant to 5 shekels’

Question 7

What happens during the bar mitzvah and when does it happen

Answer 7

The Bar mitzvah happens on the first shabbat after the boy turns 13 . It takes place in the normal synagogue service The boy wears a tallit for the first time on the bar mitzvah . He may then lead part of the prayer service and after that he makes a short speech about his faith. The boys father then says a prayer to thank God for helping him become mature and then declares him responsible for his own faith. There is a then a feast

Question 8

What happens during the Bat mitzvah and when does it happen

Answer 8

The bat mitzvah happens when the girl is 12 . The ceremony is very similar to the bar mitzvah ( she makes a speech and may lead part of the prayer service ) . Except she does not wear a tallit. Small religious gifts will be given to the girl during the feast after the service.

Question 9

What is the significance of the bar and bat mitzvahs

Answer 9

• It is when the child is expected to take full responsibility of their faith
• It is when the child is seen as an adult in the jewish community
• The process brings the child closer to God and the Jewish community
• It is when the boy can become part of the minyan
• It is when the girl becomes “ daughter of the commandment” and the boy becomes “son of the commandment”

Question 10

What is the betrothal period

Answer 10

The betrothal period is a period of a year before the marriage where the couple are engaged and promised to each other but do not live together. They prepare for their future lives together

Question 11

What do the couple do before the wedding

Answer 11

Before the wedding the couple may fast to cleanse themselves of sin and go into the marriage with the right attitude

Question 12

What happens during the betrothal ceremony

Answer 12

During the betrothal ceremony the couple stand under a chuppah which symbolises the home they will build together . Two blessings are sais over the wine . Then the couple exchange rings ( in orthodox judaism the groom puts the ring on the brides finger )

Question 13

What happens during the stage of the marriage contract

Answer 13

During the marriage contract stage , the contract is signed in the presence of witnesses it is then read out and given to the bride . In reform judaism the contract focusses on spiritual aspirations the couple have and mutual hopes for the marriage . In orthodox judaism the contract focusses on the mans duty to his wife and inheritance and how he will provide for the family if the couple get divorces

Question 14

What happens during the actual marriage

Answer 14

During the actual marriage seven wedding blessings are recited . Then the rabbi makes a short speech and blesses the couple . Then the man breaks a glass under his heal to show he fells regret for the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem - this is also a reminder that there is hardship as well as joy
Then the congregation wish the couple good luck

Question 15

What happens at the wedding reception

Answer 15

After the ceremony the couple spend a short time together in a private room to symbolise their status as a married couple

Then there is singing and dancing for the reception

Question 16

What is the significance of the marriage

Answer 16

The marriage creates a spiritual bond between the couple and helps them two experience holiness in everyday life

It is also when two souls are fused in to one like it says in the torah (genesis two )

Question 17

What happens in the when the death is first announced

Answer 17

When Jews first hear the news of the death they make a small tear in their clothes like the example of jacob in genesis

Then they say a blessing to God in which they refer to him as the true judge which shows they except his decision to take the persons life

Question 18

What happens during the first period of mourning

Answer 18

During the first period of mourning the family of the dead person stays with the deceased soul because it does not leave the body till the person is buried

Most jews are buried 24 hours after their death

Close family are left to grieve without having to follow strict jewish laws

Question 19

What happens during the second period of mourning (shiva )

Answer 19

Shiva is an intense period of mourning that lats for seven days starting on the day of the burial. During this period mourners do not work and hold prayer services 3 times a day . One of the prayers said is the kaddish , which praises God and asks for peace . Mourners also dont focus on their appearance in this time

Question 20

What happens in the third period of mourning

Answer 20

The third period of mourning begins after shiva and lasts till thirty days after the burial .During this period mourners do not listen to music,go to parties or shave or cut their hair . Also during this period male mourners say the kaddish daily in the synagogue

Question 21

What happens during the final period of mourning

Answer 21

The final period lasts for eleven months, mourners do not attend parties and the children continue to say the kaddish for the parent who has died .

Question 22

What happens after the first period of mourning

Answer 22

After the first year of mourning formal mourning ends, children continue to mark the anniversary of the death by lighting candles .Sons of the deceased also continue to say the kaddish whenever possible.

Question 23

What happens before the funeral

Answer 23

Before the funeral the body is carefully washed and wrapped in plain linen cloth, as well as a tallit for men . Then placed in a simple coffin to show everyone is equal in death

Question 24

Where do funerals take place

Answer 24

Funerals usually take place at the cemetery as the synagogue is considered a place of the living

Question 25

What happens during the funeral

Answer 25

During the funeral there are prayers , psalms , readings and a speech from the rabbi

Question 26

What do people do after the funeral

Answer 26

People wash their hands after the funeral to show they have left death behind

Question 27

What is the significance of the mourning

Answer 27

The mourning periods help jews to remember the dead person and continue there legacy