"It strengthens a Jewish family to share rituals at home" Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.

“It strengthens a Jewish family to share rituals at home” Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.

There are two arguments about this statement that both need to be looked at. The main argument, which I see as being very persuasive, is that the home acts as a point from which the ‘family’ can gather and socialise, just be a family.  The opposing argument is simply that by gathering together and spending time together anywhere can strengthen a family.  I think that the sharing rituals in the home will strengthen the family more than if it was done elsewhere.

In modern day society there are many debates and studies that state that the modern family does not spend enough time together.  The simple solution would be to take specific times during the week when ‘family’ activities can take place.  When a religion such as Judaism almost demands of Jews that they spend a large amount of time together as a family, they will become stronger and their bonds of love and loyalty tighter.  When they take part in festivals however, they are not only spending time with family members but also with God.  The importance of the family in Judaism is shown by the many festivals and rituals that families take part in, in their homes.  When a ritual; the Sabbath for example, has roles for each family member.  The women light the candle and the man will cut and bless the bread.  So the family are sharing time together, building on their faith in their own home environment.  The children also, have roles to play.  The youngest child sings at the meal of Pesach or hides the unleavened bread.  This is important so that the children feel they’re needed and without them the meal wouldn’t work.  This is important as we often forget that children love to be involved. In carrying out these roles the family is acting out God’s wishes that are for us to care for one another.  The Bible saying when the husband states that his wife’s value is greater than rubies shows this very well.  These roles allow you to see how you should treat your family and friends and by doing them in the home, in the privacy of your own walls helps build confidence in younger family members and reminds the elders how to act.  It makes the teenage members of the family feel responsible, knowing that they too are a part and if they weren’t the festival/ritual simply wouldn’t work.