Brit milah and marriage

• Brit Milah


  Jewish ceremony of circumcision of an infant boy
• Brit Milah


  • Dates back to the covenant made between God and Abraham
  • Reminds Jews of this important sign of the covenant
• Brit Milah ritual


  1. Carried out by a mohel

  2. A blessing is said before the circumcision

  3. The boy is given his Hebrew name

  4. The kiddush is said

  5. Celebratory meal
• Betrothal (kiddushin)


  The first stage of the Jewish wedding process, usually a 12-month engagement period before a wedding
• Orthodox Judaism wedding


  • Couple do not see each other for a week before the wedding ceremony
• Jewish wedding ceremony


  1. Couple fast before the wedding

  2. Ceremony happens underneath the chuppah

  3. Groom gives bride a ring

  4. Seven wedding blessings recited

  5. Rabbi blesses the couple

  6. Bride and groom sign the ketubah

  7. Bride and groom share a glass of wine

  8. Groom breaks a glass

  9. Couple have a short time together in a private room

  10. Wedding reception
• Jewish marriage is not just a legal partnership, but a union between two people that is blessed by God
• Jewish people cannot get married on a Saturday because this is the Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest
• Kriah


  Tearing of clothing as a symbol of loss and grief upon hearing of the death of a loved one
• Preparing the body for burial

  1. Washing the body

  2. Not leaving the body alone before the funeral
• Burial should happen as soon as possible after death in Jewish tradition
• Coffin


  • Should be simple to show equality
• Funeral services


  1. Prayers

  2. Psalms

  3. Eulogy
• Families must buy a gravestone so that the dead are not forgotten
• Onan


  A person who has experienced the death of a close relative (a parent, sibling, spouse or child) who has not yet been buried
• Kaddish


  Mourner's prayer in Judaism, traditionally recited by the oldest son on the occasion of a parent's death
• Many Jews feel that the act of saying the Kaddish prayer helps people to focus on God at a time when they may feel far from him
• Stages of mourning


  1. Shiva

  2. Avelut

  3. Yahrzeit
• Shiva


  The first seven days of mourning after the burial. Some Jews do not leave the house during this period.
• Avelut


  The year-long mourning period after losing a parent, during which the mourner will not attend parties and will say the Kaddish every day
• Yahrzeit


  The anniversary of a death. Many Jews light a candle in remembrance and say the Kaddish on this day.
• Ensuring a proper Jewish burial is regarded as an honour and a sacred duty
• Chevra Kaddisha


  The voluntary group that performs the final rites for Jewish people, working with funeral directors, cemeteries, hospitals and families