Jewish Rites of Passage
Birth
Circumcision (boys)
Involves cutting away foreskin 8 days after birth. Represents when God commanded Abraham to circumcise all his male descendants as a sign of the covenant between God and his people After, the boy is giving a Hebrew name.
Naming Ceremony (girls)
Involves giving her a name She is brough into the congregation. Her full Hebrew name is revealed for the first time by the Rabbi
Bar Mitzvah/ Bat Mitzvah
Bar - Son of the commandment Bat - Daughter of the commandment Coming of Age ceremony. Age 13 for boys, Age 12 for girls Recognizes that the boy or girl is an adult and responsible for his or her religious training.
Marriage
- Huppah is a canopy held up by 4 poles representing the future home of the bride and groom.
- The blessings
- Breaking of the glass - symbolism for destruction of the temple.
Death
Funerals take place ASAP, even within 24 hours. Blessings are made, prayers are said, and psalms are read.