Jews must make sure that everything is kosher. There are relatively few kosher food shops and they tend to be only in areas where there is a substantial Jewish population.
Most Jewish festivals are at different times from Christian ones and require time off from work and school. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, usually falls in September near the start of the term and begins the Ten Days of Returning, which end in the fast of Yom Kipper (the Day of Atonement). Many Jews spend much of this day in the synagogue.
When Jewish children are born they are both given an ordinary name and a Hebrew name. The ordinary name may be chosen from among those which are popular at the time, or it may have Jewish historical meaning – like David or Benjamin, Ruth or Sarah. The Hebrew name may be given in memory of an important relative and this name is used in the synagogue, and also on important religious documents such as wedding certificates.
A boy is given his name during a circumcision ceremony, which is a very important Jewish rite. It is such an important ceremony that it takes place on the eighth day after birth, even if that day is a Sabbath. It is performed by a mohel, who is not necessarily a doctor or a rabbi, but is always a specially trained religious Jew.
Most Jewish children attend two schools – their ordinary day time school with their non-Jewish friends, and a Hebrew or religious school on Sunday mornings and some weekday evenings. Part of being Jewish is learning about the religion, so that it will be properly understood.
Boys must be able to read Hebrew well for their bar mitzvah, a ceremony that marks a boy’s entry into the adult community at the age of thirteen. He must be able to chant or read a section from the torah scroll. At this stage of his life the boy becomes a man, and he is now expected to observe all the Jewish laws.
Girls join the adult community at the age of twelve, instead of thirteen, and some synagogues have similar ceremonies for girls, called a bat mitzvah. Although girls are not allowed to read from the torah scrolls.
Most Jews in some way observe the various food laws. These are based on the bibles book of Leviticus, where a long list of permitted and forbidden animals, fish and birds are given. Only those animals which both chew the cud and are cloven footed (such as cows and sheep) can be eaten. Pigs, rabbits and horses are forbidden. Fish must have both fins and scales (such as salmon, trout and haddock). Those, which do not (such as shellfish and eels), must not be eaten, but those which eat seeds are permitted (such as chickens and domestic ducks).
It has always been considered important to marry in Judaism. Although weddings do not have to be performed in synagogues most of them are, but wherever they take place certain things make it clear that the ceremony is a Jewish one. Judaism encourages Jews to marry within the Jewish community. Judaism is mainly centred around the home, and so unless the couple share the same heritage, it is believed that they will be unable to live in total harmony. It is hoped that every marriage will result in the birth of children, for they are considered very important, and the link between one generation and another.
Not every marriage will work, and Judaism recognises divorce, although it is always a matter of regret. Family and friends often rally round to try to save a troubled marriage, and this support may account for the fact that divorce is usually less common in the Jewish community, than in the general community. In Jewish law a man must give his wife a get (divorce certificate) before they can remarry.
Jewish tradition demands that the funeral, and burial, must take place as soon as possible after death- ideally within twenty-four hours, and usually within three days. Funeral services are always very simple, even among wealthy families: only a basic coffin is permitted, and the use of flowers is not encouraged. In death Jews believe, the rich and poor are equal, and no distinctions should be made between them. Cremation is not allowed among orthodox Jews, but it is common in the progressive groups.
