Birth in Judaism

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

1) Intro

In Jewish law, although the human soul exists before birth, human life begins at birth, at the time when the child is more than halfway emerged from the mother's body. The child is born pure, completely free from sin.

If natural birth is a risk to the mother birth by Caesarean section is permitted in Jewish law to preserve the life of the mother or the child.

Immediately after birth, a woman must remain sexually separated from her husband for a period of seven days after the birth of a male child and 14 days after the birth of a female child, for the same reasons as during the menstrual cycle.

2) Ceremony Types

At various times after the birth, naming ceremonies take place. It is traditional to give the child a Jewish name, though this is not compulsory, and many name the child after a deceased, or sometimes still living relative. The ceremonies that take place are Pidyon Haben, a ceremony for first born sons, Simchat Bat, to name daughters, and Brit Milah, the ritual circumcision at which sons are named.

3) Pidyon HaBen

Orthodox Jews hold a Pidyon HaBen ceremony for first-born sons when the baby is at least one month old. The ritual is usually performed on the 31st day after the birth

Pidyon HaBen is only held if all of the following are true about the baby:

He is the first-born son of his mother.
His parents are neither Kohanim nor Levites.
He was born in natural childbirth (not via C-section).
His mother did not previously have a miscarriage after more than 40 days of pregnancy.

The child is ...

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3) Pidyon HaBen

Orthodox Jews hold a Pidyon HaBen ceremony for first-born sons when the baby is at least one month old. The ritual is usually performed on the 31st day after the birth

Pidyon HaBen is only held if all of the following are true about the baby:

He is the first-born son of his mother.
His parents are neither Kohanim nor Levites.
He was born in natural childbirth (not via C-section).
His mother did not previously have a miscarriage after more than 40 days of pregnancy.

The child is redeemed by a symbolic payment to a Kohen (a descendent of the first priest Aaron). In biblical times the payment was 5 silver shekels. Today, it is usually 5 silver dollars or a small article of silver.

During a Pidyon HaBen ceremony, the father recites 2 blessings. The first praises God for commanding the redemption and the second thanks God for giving them life. The father then hands the money to the Kohen, who holds it over the baby's head and says, "This instead of that, this in commutation for that and this in remission for that." He then prays for the child and recites the traditional priestly prayer. A festive meal (seudat mitzvah) is often held after the ceremony.

4) Simchat Bat

There are no explicit rituals for a girl. Instead, there are customs for a simchat bat, which celebrates the birth of a girl. Most Jews name a baby girl on the first Sabbath after she is born, but it’s can take place at any Torah reading

The father is called up to the Torah and the child is given her name. A special prayer is also said at this time for the well being of the mother and daughter, and the thanksgiving prayer is said.

It is traditional to throw sweet things to symbolise the wish for a sweet life for the baby and its parents.

In some Orthadox communities the girl is only named at home as they believe that the mother and baby shouldn’t leave the house for a month

As there is no formal service for girls, and therefore no specific format to go by, people have created their own traditions as to when to have a simchat bat for the baby. They often hold a party afterwards to mark the occasion.

5) Brit Milah

Brit Milah is the ceremony held for baby boys, usually on the eighth day after birth, unless there are health implications. A mohel performs ritual circumcision by removing the foreskin of the baby. This is a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham that Jews will physically show they are the chosen people through circumcision.

Two chairs are prepared for the ceremony. On one sits the Sandak, who is the person who holds the baby being circumcised. The other is reserved for the prophet Elijah.

The mother of the baby traditionally is not present whilst her son is circumcised.

When the baby cries it is traditional to give it a drop of wine. Blessings are recited throughout and the baby becomes properly Jewish. If the son is not circumcised now, it is his own responsibility to do so once he is 13.