Life cycle
Redemption of the Firstborn (Pidyon Haben)
If the firstborn child is a male, on the thirty-first day after birth a ritual takes place, known as Pidyon haben (redemption of the firstborn). The ritual dates back to the times when the…
Circumcision (Brit Milah)
The birth of a male child is followed by the rite of Brit Milah (circumcision). The rite dates back to the times of Abraham, who, as a sign of his covenant with G-d, was commanded to…
Coming of Age (Bar or Bat Mitzvah)
The bar mitzvah (literally, "son of the commandment") and the bat mitzvah ("daughter of the commandment") take place when Jewish children reach the age of maturity. According to religious…
Marriage
"It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). This observation, made by God regarding the first man in the book of Genesis, reflects the Jewish belief that, ideally, every man and…
Conversion
Given that Judaism respects all societies that behave in a morally correct manner, it is far from its ethos to push people to convert.
Divorce
Jewish marriage is not an indissoluble sacrament, but rather a contract that for a number of reasons can be dissolved.
Death and Mourning
Judaism believes in the existence of life after death, the Olam habah, "the world to come", and in judgement, heavenly reward and divine punishment. The term Olam habah is also used in the…