Marriage

Marriage customs vary widely from community to community, though several aspects do remain constant throughout. The union will traditionally take place underneath a chuppah, a cloth canopy that symbolizes the new couples' house. It is viewed as a central part of someones life, as a woman without a man is seen as incomplete, though the reverse is also true.

As far a the acutal rites of the marriage go, they are based heavily upon property transfer laws of antiquity. During the ceremony, the wife recieves an object of value (usually a ring) from the husband, referred to as the ketubah, or 'marriage contract'. They are then joined in the nissuin ritual under the chuppah.

Betrothal in the Jewish community can be symbolized in a number of ways. The most common is by the exchange of an object of value (usually a ring), though this method is seen in other religons (specifically, Judaism's offshoot, Christianity). Another method is via a written contract, though this form has fallen into disuse amongst all but the most adherently orthodox of sects. Traditionally, betrothal is overseen by a third party, usually a Rabbi, though this aspect is more prevalent in making the betrothal 'official', rather than at the actual moment. Additionally, 'Shadchan' (matchmakers) can be employed to find suitable partners, though these are more suggestions as nothing forces the two to act upon the Matchmakers recommendations.

by Alex Jeffrey

Facts from: http://www.encyclopaediajudaica.com

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

A ceremony which celebrates a persons coming-of-age in the Jewish community. Translated, the names mean 'one to whom the commandments apply', with the 'one' being male (Bar) or female (Bat). The ceremony also demonstrates the child taking responsibility within the religious community, as prior to this, their parents would've handled their religious education.

Exactly what happens at the ceremony varies based upon the community or denomination of Judaism within which it is held. An aspect that is found in all sects is a reading of part of the Torah, and perhaps a leading of a discussion of the reading.

Traditionally a public ceremony, it is celebrated at the age of thirteen for boys and twelve for girls. In modern times, however, it is more often celebrated at the age of thirteen regardless. Also, under Jewish law, a boy becomes culpable upon turing thirteen and a girl at twelve, whether or not they underwent the ceremony. In the Sephardic sect of Judaism, boys wait until they are fourteen before performing the ceremony. The reasons for this are unknown.


By Alex Jeffrey

Facts from: http://www.encyclopaediajudaica.com

Rabbi

A rabbi has no more authority over rituals than any other adult male member of the Jewish community. A rabbi is simply a teacher who has been formally educated in Jewish Law. Rabbi are the spiritual leaders of the community. A Jewish community does not need a rabbi, and it's not unusual for Jewish services to be conducted without one. Unlike a Catholic Priest, a rabbi cannot absolution of sins. Today, a rabbi can be a man or a woman.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Rabbis.html

Sabbath

Jews view Sabbath as a gift from God. It is a day to devote oneself to higher pursuits rather than the normal, day to day concerns. Sabbath is a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. Though there is a notable amount of prayer on this day, this is not what puts it above other rituals. Jews also eat more elaborately and leisurely on the day of Sabbath. This important ritual happens once every week on Saturday. It is one of the most important rituals in Judaism, and the only one one instituted in the Ten Commandments. It is stated as follows:

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/shabbat.html

Kosher

Kosher is the dietary laws by which Jews must abide. All plants are kosher, but this is not true of animals, birds and fish. In order to be kosher, an animal must have completely parted hooves as found on cows, sheep, goats and deer. Pigs also have split hooves but do not fulfill the second requirement in order to be considered kosher--chewing cud (food which is regurgitated from the first stomach to the mouth to be chewed again).

Leviticus 11:2-3 : "These are the animals which you are permitted to eat ... anything which has a completely split hoof and chews the cud, this you may eat ..."

There are no set rules when consuming poultry. There is a long list of birds named in the Bible that are not considered kosher.

Lev. 11:13-19 : These you shall regard as detestable among the birds. They shall not be eaten; they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, the buzzard, the kite of any kind; every raven of any kind; the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind; the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the water hen, the desert owl, the carrion vulture, the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

Most of those who follow Judaism practice consume only chicken, turkey and duck though any bird not mentioned to be an 'abomination' may be consumed.

Following the selection of a kosher animal, you must also kill it by Shechitah. This process involves killing the animal by slitting its throat with a very sharp knife which is said to kill the animal painlessly. After this, all the blood must be drained from the animal.

http://re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk/gcsere/revision/judaism/jud3/page11.html