Rites and rituals
Bar and bat mitzvah
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A young man at his Bar Mitzvah ceremony
A Jewish ritual for both boys and girls are Bar and Bat Mitzvahs ceremonies. A Bar Mitzvah is a ceremony every Jewish boy participates in at the age of 12. The becoming of a Bar Mitzvah celebrates the coming of age for boys to act as men and fulfill the obligations of the Jewish law. Bar Mitzvah translated in Aramaic, an ancient language used by Jews, means “son of commandment”. When a boy becomes a bar mitzvah, he is becoming justly responsible for his actions. Although his age reflects that he is not yet a man, the ceremony concludes that he will be treated like one. At a Bar Mitzvah ceremony the boy will lead in prayers and read the Torah. A boy will practice for his Bar Mitzvah many months in advance. This day is very important to both a boy becoming a Bar Mitzvah and his family. Following the Bar Mitzvah ceremony is a celebration. A boy becoming a Bar Mitzvah is celebrated by food, gifts, and dancing.
A Girl becoming a Bat Mitzvah is the same ceremony celebrating the same circumstances; when the young adult takes on responsibly in their religious community. However a Bat Mitzvah ceremony is much newer in the Jewish community. Before the 19th century Jewish women were forbidden from play a part directly in religious services. Today, Bat and Bar Mitzvahs are traditional Jewish rituals.
A Girl becoming a Bat Mitzvah is the same ceremony celebrating the same circumstances; when the young adult takes on responsibly in their religious community. However a Bat Mitzvah ceremony is much newer in the Jewish community. Before the 19th century Jewish women were forbidden from play a part directly in religious services. Today, Bat and Bar Mitzvahs are traditional Jewish rituals.
Jewish weddings
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Kiddushin, translated out of Jewish literature, means marriage. To Jews, marriage is process that must be done thoroughly, but also takes many steps. The Jews believe that marriage means one soul in two bodies. Shidduch, meaning matchmaking, is the first step in marriage. A relative would recommend that either the future bride or groom meet a particular someone. Shidduch is not meaning to be pressure full. If the two people are not compatible with each other, nothing more will continue. The second step in a Jewish wedding is Vort- Engagement. Vort, meaning a small reception, is a time when the two families as a whole come to meet each other. Ketuvah, the marriage contract, is the third step in Jewish weddings. This takes place at the wedding reception. People come as witnesses to watch the groom sign and complete the Ketuvah. In the Ketuvah, the groom’s obligations to his wife are being stated.
Followed by the Ketuvah is the Bedekin. During the Bedekin, the groom veils the bride. The bride sits in a chair with her veil up, while the groom walks over and does the veiling and pulls down her veil onto her face. The Chuppah, the canopy, is decorated cloth symbolizing the new couple’s home. A traditional ceremony is done outside under the stars while the groom prays under the Chuppah, the bride cycles seven times around the groom symbolizing the seven days of creation but also the protection and light she will give as a mother.
Kiddushin is the process of the groom placing a gold ring on the bride, symbolizing the concept of the groom providing for his wife. The Sheva Brachos, the seven blessings, are recited by either to important people in the family of the one Rabbi. These blessings are recited over a cup of wine which afterwards the groom breaks with his foot. The breaking of the wine cup symbolizes the idea that even though the temple in Jerusalem is destroyed, you must keep thoughts of Jerusalem and Israel joyous. Cheder Yichud is the last step in Jewish marriages. At this time, after the ceremony the couple must be locked in a room in privacy. After the guests sit down and eat, they announce the couple by Mr. and Mrs.___, and at that time the couple comes out from the privacy room where they ate together and join the guests for dancing. The wedding process is full of traditional rituals that are vital to the completion of a Jewish wedding.
Followed by the Ketuvah is the Bedekin. During the Bedekin, the groom veils the bride. The bride sits in a chair with her veil up, while the groom walks over and does the veiling and pulls down her veil onto her face. The Chuppah, the canopy, is decorated cloth symbolizing the new couple’s home. A traditional ceremony is done outside under the stars while the groom prays under the Chuppah, the bride cycles seven times around the groom symbolizing the seven days of creation but also the protection and light she will give as a mother.
Kiddushin is the process of the groom placing a gold ring on the bride, symbolizing the concept of the groom providing for his wife. The Sheva Brachos, the seven blessings, are recited by either to important people in the family of the one Rabbi. These blessings are recited over a cup of wine which afterwards the groom breaks with his foot. The breaking of the wine cup symbolizes the idea that even though the temple in Jerusalem is destroyed, you must keep thoughts of Jerusalem and Israel joyous. Cheder Yichud is the last step in Jewish marriages. At this time, after the ceremony the couple must be locked in a room in privacy. After the guests sit down and eat, they announce the couple by Mr. and Mrs.___, and at that time the couple comes out from the privacy room where they ate together and join the guests for dancing. The wedding process is full of traditional rituals that are vital to the completion of a Jewish wedding.
Jewish funerals
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A Jewish funeral starts with the Chevra Kaddisha, or the sacred burial society that is mostly made up of relatives, friends or other people in their Jewish religious community. The Chevra Kaddisha cleanses the body and dresses the deceased in a white burial cloak. Jewish funerals tend to take place within the 1st day of the deceased family member. A Jewish funeral ritual is Shemira. Shemira is guarding the dead. The body should not be left alone from death to the burial. Jews do this to honor their dead. During the funeral ceremony prayers are said. In all types of Jewish funerals the Rabbi, the guider of the Jewish community in the synagogue, will tear an article of cloth to symbolize your loss. After the burial ceremony had ended, the family will normally have a day of Shiva. Shiva is a day of mourning. During Shiva, the family grows closer together and talks about their loved one that passed away. Jewish funerals have some amazing rituals in them, Jews continue to pass these down as generations pass.