JEWISH LIFE CYCLE

Catholics are familiar with the seven sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, holy orders and anointing of the sick.  Judaism does not have sacraments in the strictest sense of the word, but there are important ceremonies, celebrations and rituals that mark significant moments in life.  We will discuss a few of them.

Circumcision

Circumcision, or brit milah, is often called a bris, which means "covenant".  The reason circumcision is referred to as a bris is because it is the action G-d commanded Abraham and his descendants to perform as a sign of the covenant G-d made with them.  In Genesis 17: 10-14, G-d tells Abraham that he and all of his male descendants must be circumcised, and anyone who is not will be considered outside the covenant.  Circumcision is the most commonly observed mitzvah, and it is meant to be a physical sign of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people.

Redemption of the First-Born

Jews believe that the first and best of everything belongs to G-d, who is the source of all good things.  This belief extends even to children, and so Jews have a ritual called pidyon ha-ben, which literally means "redemption of the son".  Since the first-born son belongs by right to G-d, he must be "bought back" from Him when he is 31 days old.  Pidyon-ha-ben is observed by performing a brief ritual and paying a small amount of money to a kohein-- a priest.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah

Up until the time they are thirteen, boys are not obligated to observe the mitzvot of Jewish law, and girls are not obligated until they are twelve.  When they reach the age of thirteen and twelve, however, boy and girls assume the same rights and repsonsibilities as an adult under Jewish law. When he turns thirteen, a boy becomes a bar mizvah, which literally means "son of the law".  The occassion is marked by the boy's saying a blessing over the Torah reading in the synagogue on Shabbat, reading a selection from the Torah, and perhaps giving a small speech. When a girl turns twelve, she becomes a bat mitzvah, which literally means "daughter of the law".  More traditional branches of Judaism do not allow women to read from the Torah in the synagogue, so the occassion may simply be marked by a party or special meal.  In less traditional branches of Judaism, however, the girls do the same things the boys do.

Marriage

In Judaism, there are two stages to marriage: kiddushin and nisuin.  Kiddushin means "betrothal", but it is much more involved than a typical American engagement.  After kiddushin, a man and woman are legally considered husband and wife, although they do not live together.  Nisuin literally means "elevation", and this marks the consummation of the marriage.  A wedding ceremony is performed, and the husband and wife live together from that point on.