Circumcision
This ceremony, performed on Jewish baby boys at eight days old, involves the surgical removal of the foreskin.
What is Brit Millah?
This is the name of the Jewish wedding ceremony, meaning "to be holy," highlighting the sacredness of marriage.
What is Kiddushin?
This group of appointed helpers stays with the body and prepares it for burial by washing and wrapping it in a white linen shroud.
What is the chevra kadisha?
This Hebrew phrase means "Son of the Commandment" and marks the point when a 13-year-old boy becomes responsible for his own spiritual welfare.
What is Bar Mitzvah?
This religious figure, trained in the practice of circumcision, performs the Brit Millah.
What is a mohel?
This document, signed by the groom, shows his commitment to love and care for his wife.
What is the ketubah?
This prayer is recited by a son for eleven months after the death of a parent, as a plea for God's holiness to be felt by all.
What is the Kaddish?
Before his Bar Mitzvah, the boy studies these Jewish religious texts with the Rabbi to gain knowledge and understand the Hebrew language.
What is the Tenakh?
The Brit Millah ceremony symbolizes this covenant made between God and Abraham.
What is God’s covenant to make Abraham the father of a great nation?
This symbolic act performed by the groom at the end of the ceremony reminds the couple that marriage will have both hard times and blessings.
What is the crushing of the glass?
After a Jew dies, they are placed in a simple coffin made of this material, symbolizing humility and equality in death.
What is plain wood?
During the Bar Mitzvah ceremony, the boy is called by name to this raised platform to read from the Torah scrolls.
What is the bimah?
Along with circumcision, this also happens during the Brit Millah, and prayers are said for the baby's and mother’s health.
What is the naming of the baby?
These seven blessings are read aloud during the wedding, with the couple sipping wine after each one.
What is the Sheva Brachot?
During this seven-day mourning period, family members stay at home, sit on low stools, wear no leather shoes, and cover all mirrors.
What is Shiva?
At the Bar Mitzvah, the Rabbi gives this speech, addressing part of it to the boy, reminding him of his responsibilities as a full member of the Jewish community.
What is a sermon?
Unlike boys who are circumcised, the names of Jewish girls are announced by their father in this location.
What is a synagogue?
This overhead covering, where the bride and groom stand during the ceremony, represents the home they will build together.
What is the canopy (or chuppah)?
When a Jew is close to death, they recite this as a final affirmation of their belief in God.
What is a prayer confirming their belief in God (often referring to the Shema)?
From the day of his Bar Mitzvah, the boy is considered to be this in the Jewish community, with the duty to observe Jewish law.
What is an adult?