Selecting a “typical” Jewish c
Selecting a “typical” Jewish client is difficult. Anultra-Orthodox Jew has a particular set of special needs. Yet, itis more common to see a Jew who is a middle-of-the-roadConservative. Sarah is an 80-year-old woman who is afirst-generation American. She was raised in a traditionalConservative home. Her husband died after 50 years of a strongmarriage. She has three children. Although her home is not kosher,she practices a variation of kosher-style eating, avoiding pork andnot making dishes that combine meat and milk.
Two months ago, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Surgery was attempted, but the cancer was already in an advancedstage. Chemotherapy was started, but the cancer has progressed andis not responding to the medications. She is having difficultyeating because of the pressure of the tumor on the gastrointestinaltract. Discussions are being held to determine whether or nottreatments should be stopped and whether hospice care should beinitiated. Her hospital room is always filled with visitors.
1. Describe the Jewish ritual of circumcision . What is a bar orbat mitzvah?
Answer:
Circumcision is an initiation rite for Jewish newborn babies.This usually takes place in a ceremony called a Brit (or Bris)milah witnessed by family and community members. Milah is Hebrewfor Covenant of Circumcision.Such is the importance of Brit milah that circumcision can takeplace on the Sabbath or a holy day even though the drawing of bloodis not normally allowed on these days under Jewish law.
The ceremony
There are no special rules about where the ritual should takeplace. Most often it is held at the family’s home but some peopleprefer it to be done in a synagogue.
The ritual is performed by a mohel (circumciser), usually anobservant Jew, on the eighth day after birth unless there aremedical reasons to prevent it happening. The mohel is required tohave studied the religious laws and have the surgical skillsessential to the operation. In the UK, the Initiation Society ofGreat Britain and the London Beth Din (Jewish Ecclesiastical Court)oversee the training and examination of student mohels.
The Bris is an important family celebration for Jewish people.It is required that the father and mohel must be present but it’susual for other family members to participate too.
Traditionally, an empty chair is set aside in the room for theprophet Elijah, who oversees the proceedings and ensures thecontinuation of the ritual.
The child may be brought into the room where the circumcision isto take place by the mother and other female family members.
During the circumcision, the child is held on the lap of aperson who has been chosen to act as sandek. The grandfather of thechild or the family rabbi often takes this role and it isconsidered an honour to do this.
Blessings are recited and a drop or two of wine is place in thechild’s mouth. He is given his official Hebrew name.
Afterwards the family celebrates with a festive meal.
Bar Mitzvah-According to Jewish law, when a Jewish boy is 13 years old, hebecomes accountable for his actions and becomes a bar mitzvah.
Bat Mitzvah-A girl becomes a bat mitzvah at the age of 12 according to Orthodoxand Conservative Jews, and at the age of 13 according to ReformJews.Before the child reaches bar mitzvah age, parents hold theresponsibility for their child’s actions. After this age, the boysand girls bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law,tradition, and ethics, and are able to participate in all areas ofJewish community life.
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