Jewish Lifecycle
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- The phrase originally referred to a person responsible for performing the divine commandments of Judaism; it now refers to the occasion when a boy or girl reaches the age of religious maturity and responsibility (thirteen years for a boy; twelve years an
-
Bar (Bat) Mitzvah
(Heb., “son (daughter)-of-the-commandment(s)â€). - The minor surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis. It is ritually performed when a boy is eight days old in a ceremony called ____ _____, which indicates that the ritual establishes a covenant between God and the individual.
- Brit (or Berit) Milah / Circumcision
- ____________ usually marks the end of formal religious school training (age 15-16), and often occurs around the time of Shavuot. ____________ in Judaism was invented in the 19th century by the Reform movement as a replacement for the Bar Mitzvah.
- Confirmation
- The rite of relieving the first-born male child born to parents not descended from Aaron or Levi of certain religious obligations by redeeming him from a member of the priestly class. It is celebrated 30 days after the child's birth. The father pays five
- Pidyon Haben
- The ritual veiling of the bride by the groom. This custom developed from the biblical story of Jacob, who married Leah by mistake, instead of Rachel, the woman he loved.
- B’deken
- Court of Jewish law. Converts must appear before a ___ ___ prior to becoming Jewish.
- Bet Din
- The group that prepares a body for burial.
- Chevra Kadisha (“holy societyâ€)
- The special canopy under which a marriage ceremony is conducted.
- Huppah or Chuppah
- (“To Lifeâ€). Used as a toast.
- L'Chaim
- Congratulations and good luck.
- Mazel Tov
- A Jewish communal bath for washing away spiritual impurity by immersion. Converts must immerse in the _____ at the end of the conversion ceremony and women use the _____ at the conclusion of their menstrual cycle as part of the laws of taharat hamishpach
- Mikvah, Miqvah, Mikveh, Mikva, Mikve
- (Heb., “sevenâ€). Seven days of mourning after the burial of a close relative.
- Shiva (as in, “to sit shivaâ€)
- (Heb., “thirtyâ€). An intermediate stage of 30 days of less severe mourning, including shiva.
- Shloshim
- Happy occasion.
- Simcha
- Anniversary of a death; a 24-hour candle lit to commemorate the death anniversary of a close relative, also lit on holy days when Yizkor (prayer of remembrance) is recited.
- Yahrzeit