Examine the rituals and teachings which are associated with circumcision and Bar Mitzvah(20 marks) Two very important rites of passage within Judaism are circumcision and Bar Mitzvah

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Charley McCarthy

Bar Mitzvah, Circumcision and Jewish Women

  1. Examine the rituals and teachings which are associated with circumcision and Bar Mitzvah

(20 marks)

  Two very important rites of passage within Judaism are circumcision and Bar Mitzvah, both of which are only for boys and happen during childhood. Circumcision, also known as Brit Millah, symbolizes the covenant between God and the Jewish people, which was agreed with Abraham. In return for Jewish people physically showing their Jewish faith through being circumcised, God agreed to protect them, as they were the chosen race, and lead them to the Holy Land where they could create a great nation. This is instructed in Genesis 17:9-12, "And G-d spoke to Abraham saying: ...This is my covenant which you shall keep between Me and you and thy seed after you -every male child among you shall be circumcised." Unless there are medical implications, the child is circumcision is performed when the boy is 8 days old and only in daylight hours. This includes all days, however, if the baby was born by caesarean section, it may not take place on the Sabbath or a Jewish holiday and usually takes place in a synagogue or the home. The circumcision is performed by a mohel who has been specially trained. The baby is carried into the room by the kvatter and kvatterin, who are the Jewish equivalent of godparents, and upon entering the room the guests say, ‘Blessed is he who comes.’ Women are not permitted to be present in the room during the ceremony. Once the mohel has been passed the child, he momentarily places it on an empty chair whilst the mohel says a prayer to ask God to watch over the child during the procedure. This chair is that which has been reserved for the prophet Elijah, the ‘Angel of the Covenant’ to remind them that the prophet is said to be present in spirit at all circumcisions, so that he can testify to God the commitment of the Jewish people. The baby is placed on a cushion on the sandek’s lap whilst the mohel performs the circumcision, because the sandek’s lap is considered equivalent to the altar of the Temple itself and a Cabbalistic tradition says that the sandek is spiritually linked to the child. Prayers are recited throughout the ceremony, and a special blessing is said over wine afterwards, and the baby is given his Hebrew name, to keep in tradition with God changing Abraham’s name from Avram during his circumcision. A party and special meal are often held afterwards in celebration that the baby is now recognisable as Jewish. It is felt that women do not have to have any physical signs of ‘Jewishness’ because they are naturally more spiritual and closer to God.

  When a Jewish boy is then 13 he has a Bar Mitzvah, meaning ‘son of the commandment’, the male Jewish coming of age ceremony. Under Jewish Law, children are not required to observe the commandments, although they’re still encouraged to do so to learn the obligations that they will have as adults. At 13, boys become obligated to follow them, as are considered old enough to have such responsibilities. They also gain the right to take part in leading religious ceremonies, and helping to form the minyan and form binding contracts. No ceremony is needed to give these rights and obligations, and does not fulfill any commandment. The ceremony is relatively modern and created just to give such important occasion recognition and make it more special. Prior to the ceremony, the boy must prepare. He will usually learn at classes at his synagogue, and must learn to read Hebrew so that he can read during the Bar Mitzvah ceremony, traditionally starting with, ‘today I am a man’, and learn to wear tefflin, the tallit and the kippah. The service takes place on the Shabbat after the boy’s birthday. They recite a blessing over the weekly reading as well as often reciting the haftara including its traditional chant. In some congregations, he will read the entire weekly torah portion, or lead part of the service or the congregation in certain important prayers. Also, his father traditionally recites a blessing thanking God for taking away the burden of him being responsible for his son's sins as the child is now old enough to be held responsible for them himself. A party, with food, dancing and presents, follows the service. In very Orthodox Judaism, women are not allowed to participate in this ceremony at all. Reform Jews therefore often hold Bat Mitzvah now, which is a similar ceremony for girls, except at the age of 12 as they are thought to mature more quickly.

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  1. Examine the role of women in Jewish families and discuss how far in conflict these are in 21st century views of the woman’s role

(30 marks)

  Many of the views in the bible suggest women are inferior to men and are thought to be sexist and unfair. Because Judaism incorporates many of these things into the rules of its religion, creating rules such as women not being allowed to be Rabbis, and being traditionally seen as housewives, the 21st century view largely conflicts with the traditional one.

  Many Jewish women do not want to be seen ...

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