LifeCycle Events
-
Nursing Care for Orthodox Jews
As a nurse, how should I take care of someone who is an orthodox Jew? I would want to know about nutrition requirements and special rituals for death. Any information that you can provide me would be appreciated. Answer: We…
-
Bride Walks Around Seven Times
Why does the bride walk around the groom seven times in a Jewish wedding? There are many reasons given for this custom. My personal favorite is that walking around seven times brings down the barriers and walls between the couple,…
-
Mourning for a Miscarriage
My mother just had a miscarriage. Is there is anything I need to do? Do I light a yahrtzeit candle? I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s miscarriage. A miscarriage, especially a late term one, can be an…
-
Preparations for Burial
What are the burial rites in the Jewish religion? The procedure of preparing a body for burial varies from community to community. However, there are certain basic laws that are common to all Jewish communities. These are discussed in the…
-
Breaking the Glass at the Wedding
What is the meaning behind breaking the glass at a wedding ceremony? The custom of breaking a glass at a wedding stems from an incident recorded in the Talmud (Tractate Brachot 31a). One of the Sages was bothered by the…
-
Saying Kadish and the World to Come
My father passed a way two weeks ago. My only brother refuses to say kadish. Is that horrible? Will that effect my father getting to heaven? Can someone else say kadish? I am so sorry for your family’s loss. You…
-
Timing the Circumcision
I know by the law it says, we should circumcise on the 8th day, but is it Kosher to do it on a day later than the 8th? The child is healthy, but I’d like to perform the circumcision 2…