The Jewish Lifecycle
There is a Jewish idea that all humans were created ‘B’tzelem Elokim’ – ‘in the image of God’, and therefore every human is very special and valuable.
In Jewish culture, life itself is seen as sacred and should be celebrated. Even the most religious Jews will tell you that saving people’s lives comes before keeping kosher‘Suitable’ or ‘fit’ according to Jewish law, often used to describe permitted foods. or observing ShabbatThe Jewish sabbath day (Friday evening to Saturday evening). Sometimes pronounced ‘Shabbos’ by Ashkenazi Jews..
There are blessings which give thanks to God for allowing us to wake up every morning, with our bodies working to keep us alive and able to go about our daily activities. Nothing is taken for granted.
Therefore, it is very important to mark the beginning and end of life and every significant milestone in between, with traditions and rituals which help to make the occasions memorable!
AUDIO : “Looking round my sitting room, I’m reminded of my family’s important life cycle events which have all been marked in accordance with Jewish ritual and tradition. There’s a picture of our wedding – under an open-air canopy – a ḥuppaA wedding canopy. Sometimes the word refers to the whole marriage ceremony. – surrounded by our parents, relatives and friends.
Our son’s Brit Milah ceremony took place in this room. So did the Simḥat Bat‘Celebrating a daughter’ – a celebration or meal to celebrate the birth of a daughter celebration to mark our daughter’s birth a few years later. That’s when they were given their Hebrew names – carefully chosen to honour those who were no longer with us. These were the names used in synagogueJewish communal building where people gather to pray, learn and celebrate. (From Greek – meaning place of gathering). for my son’s Bar MitzvahSon of the commandments – coming of age for boys (at age 13). and my daughter’s Bat MitzvahDaughter of the commandments – coming of age for girls (age 12 or 13)..
Most poignantly, there are pictures of my parents, my parents-in-law and my husband – all now dead. We sat shivaMeaning seven. The seven day mourning period after the death of a close relative. for them here. Each time, visitors came over seven days bringing food and holding prayer services. They helped us to grieve – to laugh and to cry – as we shared our memories.
The detail of these celebrations and milestones may change, but the message of these life cycle events remains the same. For me, they show that we are not just individuals but that we live as part of a Jewish community that shares our joy – and our sadness. Our life cycle events show the close connection between the present and the past. And that feels like a good way to live.”
– Dawn, London
