LifeCycle Events
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Burial As Soon As Possible – Part II
Why do Jewish people bury their dead as soon as possible? Answer: In Judaism, we have the idea of Kavod HaBriyos, (i.e. respect for the living), as well as Kavod HaMes (i.e. respect for the dead). Both of these concepts…
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Remarriage to Original Spouse
Why is it forbidden for a woman to remarry an ex-husband after having married someone else for period of time? Answer: Rabbi S.R. Hirsch (Deuteronomy 24:4) observes that there can be nothing legally wrong or immoral with either the first…
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Funeral on Purim
Can you do a funeral on Purim? Answer: According to the Talmud in tractate megilla, not only must one perform a funeral on Purim, but it even takes precedence over reading the Megillas Esther (or hearing it). However, eulogies are…
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Religious Marriage after Civil Ceremony
If we have already married with a standard civil ceremony, can we have a Jewish ceremony as well? Yes, absolutely. Provided you are both Jewish and free to marry each other according to Halacha, you may (and should!) also have…
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Father’s Role in the Delivery of a Child
What is the role of the father at the delivery of his child? It seems that, historically, the father (or any male for that matter) had very little to do in the delivery of a child, and was most likely…
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Marriage Ceremony
Can you please give me some background information, and an overview, of the Jewish marriage ceremony? According to Jewish Tradition, before the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, once a man and woman decided to get married, moved into…
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Polygamy for Men, But Not for Women
Why is it that in the Jewish history, a man was allowed to marry a few wives (e.g. our Patriach Jacob), and the women were severely punished if they had committed adultery? I am not saying that adultery is right,…
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Greater Significance of the Sandek
What is the role of the sandek at the bris milah beyond just holding the baby? What spiritual role does he play? Does the honor give him the ability to bestow Blessings? The honor of being sandek places the person…