Jewish customs and rituals. Traditions and customs

Not only are there quite a few different religions and beliefs in the world, but they all also have various branches. In this article I would like to understand in detail who Orthodox Jews are and what is unique about their way of life and beliefs.

Who are they?

Initially, it must be said that Jews are different. Even though they all profess Judaism. That's it simple people who raise children according to social rather than religious canons. They dress in fashion and do not zealously observe all the rituals and traditions of their great-grandfathers. However, there is another category. These are Orthodox Jews. Their life is subject to all the laws of Halacha, formed a very long time ago, during the New Age.

Religion of Orthodox Jews

Initially, it should be noted that the religion of the Jews is Judaism. However, it's not that simple. IN modern world There are five main branches of Judaism: Humanistic (least strict), Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox.

Books Important for Orthodoxy

The religion of the Jews is Judaism. What kind of religious books do these people have? First of all, we need to talk about the sacred scripture, which is called the Tanakh. Let's look at its components:

1. Torah, or "Pentateuch".
2. Naviim, 21 books about the prophets.
3. Ketuvim. These are 13 books of various religious genres.

Another very important book for Orthodox Jews is the Talmud. This is a set of laws, as well as moral and ethical standards, which believers must strictly follow.

Offshoot: Ultra-Orthodox

It is important to note that there is such a widespread movement today as ultra-Orthodox Jews. In Judaism this trend is for everyone famous name Hasidism. This movement originates in the 18th century. Religion here is closely related to mysticism and exaltation. The main ideas of Hasidim are as follows:

• God is everywhere and always. You need to serve him every minute, in big and small matters.
• We must serve God exclusively in joy.
• Any sin can be expiated.

Daily prayer is very important for Hasidim. It is pronounced in an elevated emotional mood. Its goal is to have as close a relationship with God as possible.

Among the traditional occupations of Hasidim one can distinguish construction business (real estate), trade, financial market, mediation. Quite often Hasidim deal with diamonds. These are quite rich people who rule the world.

A little about God

It is also worth saying that four thousand years ago, Jews also believed in many gods, like other people on Earth. But still, each clan worshiped one, in their opinion, the most powerful deity. And in one community the main thing was Yahweh. It was this cult that gradually came to the fore and occupied a leading position in terms of the number of adherents.

A completely new stage in Judaism is associated with the appearance of such a person as Moses. Scientists are confident that this may actually be a person who once lived, whose main merit was leading the Jews out of Egyptian slavery. It is also important to note that the very first books of the Torah are called the “Pentateuch of Moses,” which once again proves the greatness of this personality in the Jewish religion.

So, the god of the Jews is Yahweh. However, there is another, somewhat transformed name of his, which is most often used in European countries. This is Jehovah.

Appearance

Orthodox Jews believe that they must strictly follow not only the sacred scripture - the Torah, but also many of the rituals of their ancestors who lived during the heyday of Judaism in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 14th-17th centuries. That is why appearance These people are often very strange, according to the opinion of modern man.

Adherents of this particular movement in Judaism wear clothes exclusively in two colors - white and black (this also applies to underwear). In this case, you must have a hat on your head. On holidays, Orthodox Christians wear fur hats, which come in two types:

1. Spadaks. Made from beaver fur, tall. Definitely black.
2. Shtreimly. Flat hats made of sable fur.

Their caftans have different variations. They can be different lengths. The color can be either simply black or white striped (such clothes are worn mainly on holidays along with a special white hat with a pompom).

What other clothes do Orthodox Jews wear? So, there is one very interesting secondary religious sign of such people - these are the tassels that stick out from under their clothes. They are the obligatory attribute of tales (a special material that can either cover the entire human body during prayer or be part of underwear). The main purpose of these brushes is prescribed in the Torah. Looking out from under the clothes, they should remind us of God and the fact that we must serve him every minute.

Hairstyle

Orthodox Jews also have a special hairstyle. And to be more precise - with curls that either hang down to the shoulders or are laid behind the ears. They are called sidelocks. Not all representatives of Judaism wear such hairstyles, but only those who are zealous about the following commandment of the Torah: “Do not round the edges of your hair and do not trim your beard...”

It is worth noting that there are a huge number of interpretations of this commandment. However, Orthodox Jews take it as literally as possible. Which leads to the appearance of sidelocks and long beards.

Nutrition

The entire life of Orthodox Jews is guided by the scriptures of the Torah. The same applies to nutritional rules. What can such people eat and what can’t they eat?

• Kosher, i.e. The meat of ruminant artiodactyls, as well as mammals, is considered permitted. Orthodox Jews may consume meat from sheep, cows, bison, elk, etc.
• Such people should not eat the meat of rabbits, hares, pigs, and horses.
• Kosher bird species: chicken, duck, goose, pigeon, quail.
• The Torah prohibits the consumption of animal blood in any form. To get rid of it, there are two procedures: salting and frying.
• Also, Orthodox Jews have a strict ban on mixing dairy and meat foods. After eating meat, you must wait at least 6 hours, and only then eat dairy products.
• You can also eat fish, but not all fish, but those that have fins and scales.
• Eggs from kosher birds are kosher.

A few words about women

What are they like, Orthodox Jewish women? Initially, it must be said that after marriage, such ladies cut their hair as short as possible or even shave their heads bald. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when in this way women protected themselves from the encroachments of men. But even today it has not lost its relevance among the orthodox.

Married ladies should also be faithful to their husbands. After all, among the Orthodox, a child not born from a husband is terrible sin, family spot. Then he will not be able to live normally: study, get married or get married. If the baby is born unmarried girl, he will be an ordinary Jew.

Regarding the role of women, the orthodox adhere to old-fashioned rules. So, the wife’s area of ​​activity is family, home, children, comfort. Everything else is for men. However, a woman in this religion was never the property of her husband. She has a wide range of rights and freedoms. In a certain sense, a woman is even revered and worshiped. However, only within the walls of your home.

It should also be noted that Orthodox Jews are not around women in in public places: buses, hairdressers, etc. In addition, they try not to walk on the same side of the street.

Traditions and rituals

What customs do Orthodox Jews observe? What interesting things do their beliefs entail?

• First of all, we need to talk about circumcision. Thus, this procedure involves circumcision of the foreskin of the male genital organ of an infant (on the eighth day from birth). It is believed that this is a kind of covenant between the people of Israel and God.
• Orthodox Jews must wear a kippah (cap) throughout the day. This is a special sign of respect for God.
• Before you read morning prayer, representatives of the orthodox movement must wear a tallit (veil).
• Kapparot is a tradition of atonement for one's sins. It is performed on the eve of Yom Kippur. A man or woman should take a live rooster in his hands and twirl it around his head, saying: “Let this be my atonement.”

Simple conclusions

The God of the Jews, Yahweh, told his disciples that they needed to know and honor the Torah. This is exactly what the followers of this movement do. For the most part, they learn. Men go to work only in adulthood. In their youth and the first couple of years of marriage, such men devote all their time to studying. That is why this trend is not too favored by Jews. After all, taxpayers’ money goes to support such families (where often men, and women, of course, do not work). And the Orthodox, in turn, are confident that other Jews do not adhere to the sacred laws of the Torah.

Most Jewish customs are related to religious holidays. People who have experienced many sorrows and hardships know how not only to cry and be sad, but also to rejoice.

The entire history of the Jewish people is closely connected with religion. Described in Holy books Holidays are dedicated to the events, and many customs originate from there.

In Israel, it is customary to celebrate as many as 4 New Years a year, and none of them fall on January 1st. According to Jewish customs, holidays are also the last day of the week and the beginning of each month.

Holiday Saturday

No one is allowed to work on Saturday, not even animals. Shabbat is a time of rest and fellowship with friends and relatives. On this holiday you cannot even turn on the lights; candles are lit by women on Friday evening and placed on the festive table. Prayers are read over the wine and food before the meal. It is customary to pour wine to everyone present.

On Friday, according to tradition, cholent is prepared - a national dish made from beans or beans with spices and meat. The dish remains in the oven all the time before serving, which is why it acquires a special taste. On Saturday they also eat stuffed fish.

Holidays and customs

New Year

Jews begin to celebrate the New Year in September-October; this period is a time of good intentions and repentance for past bad deeds. During New Year's holidays It is customary to reflect on past events and one’s relationships with God and others. On New Year's Day it is customary to eat symbolic dishes. To make the coming year sweet and generous, apples and honey are served on the table. They eat a fish head to be guided in their actions by the head and not by feelings, and a pomegranate with numerous grains symbolically means many expected good deeds and merits.

Yom Kippur

The holiest day of the year is Yom Kippur. Believing Jews fast for 25 hours, do not wear leather shoes and do not wash. At this time, it is customary to pray fervently in the synagogue. The “day of atonement” ends with the prolonged sound of the “shofar” - a ram’s horn.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is celebrated in November-December. When evening comes, a lamp (Hanukkiah) is lit on the windowsill or at the entrance to the house. New lights are added daily until the total number reaches 8. On Hanukkah, potato pancakes and donuts are traditionally prepared. Children are allowed to go on vacation.

Purim

Purim is the most fun party, which is celebrated at the end of February. At this time they have fun, dance and organize carnivals. Cakes, wine and sweets are placed on the festive table; the main dish of the holiday is gomentashen - pies triangular shape, with raisins and poppy seeds.

Passover (Easter)

In March-April, Jews celebrate Passover (Easter), for which they prepare in advance. Food made from fermented dough is taken out of the house. Matzo (unleavened flatbread) is served on the table and eaten for 7 days.

Weddings and funerals

A wedding in Israel is called kiddushin, which translates as “dedication.” This means that the bride devotes herself to the groom during the celebration. It is customary to celebrate a wedding on fresh air, a hula is held over the bride and groom - a special canopy symbolizing them common Home. The feast lasts 7 days.

In the old days, funerals were a very complex procedure. All the furniture had to be taken out of the deceased’s house, relatives tore their clothes, and neighbors poured out the water they had. Nowadays, everything is significantly simplified - prayers are simply read over the deceased in the synagogue and at home, and an incision is made on the lapel. It is not customary to bring flowers to a grave; according to custom, a pebble is placed on it.

PUBLIC LIFE

In Crimea, Jews were engaged in various crafts. They were watchmakers, shoemakers, furriers, and tailors. A special place was occupied by jeweler-artists, whose works were examples of art. Unfortunately, the Keter Torah, a crown worn on a Torah scroll, made in Crimea, the Besamim, a traditional vessel for incense, which was made of silver with gilding and filigree, have not survived; traditional wedding rings, gold casting, enamel.

For a long time, art historians did not consider or write about Jewish folk art, while there were centers in Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, southern Russia and Crimea. Extremely interesting for their artistic merits were works made of bronze, silver, gold, decorative arts and calligraphic writing. These highly artistic products of Jewish masters have practically not survived in Crimea. You can see them only at exhibitions in Western Europe, in the Baltics, in Kyiv, Lvov.

A small number of Jews were engaged in agriculture in Crimea, since they for a long time It was forbidden to engage in arable farming. Those who acquired land plots with great difficulty successfully grew wheat, garlic, beans, melons, and kept livestock on them.

Trade was considered a traditional occupation. Not everyone knows that the Jewish population was subject to double taxes. They paid taxes, like all people in Russia, but also for the fact that they were Jews! Only trade, with its rapid turnover and profits, allowed the Jews to pay the second tax. In Crimea, Jewish merchants, together with merchants of other nationalities, united in guilds. In 1877, Sevastopol became a trading port and products went abroad through it Agriculture. The trading houses of Dreyfus, Yurovsky, and Glazer became known. There were similar trading houses in Kerch, Feodosia, and other cities of Crimea.

The urban Jewish population in Crimea was second only to the Germans in literacy. Among the Jews there were many famous doctors, lawyers, and pharmacists. Many became prominent scientists in Russia, the West, and America. At the beginning of the 20th century, Jewish musicians were famous for their virtuoso performances at international competitions.

TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

In the middle of the 19th century. Jewish traditions and rituals in Crimea and other provinces of Russia began to disappear. The reason for this was the movement of the idea of ​​Jewish enlightenment. Young people began to be introduced to secular knowledge along with religious ones. The doors of gymnasiums, colleges, institutes and universities opened for the most talented. At the same time, the percentage system for admitting Jewish children was preserved.

However, the Jewish community tried to preserve customs and rituals, such as “circumcision,” the ritual requirement for food (“kosher” and “tref”), and the coming of age ritual “bar mitzvah.” The Jewish community managed to preserve the traditions of the people, national rituals and holidays for many millennia, thanks to which the Jewish people survived.

Jewish family life was determined by Torah laws and traditions dating back to ancient times. The biblical blessing "be fruitful and multiply" was a mandatory religious commandment for the Jews. They got married early, boys - at 18 years old, girls - at 14 - 15 years old.

For young man When he was about to get married, there were 10 commandments. Marrying for the sake of wealth was not approved; it was recommended to marry a girl from good home. “Be careful when choosing a wife”; “Sell the last thing you have and marry the daughter of a learned man”; “Do not take a wife from a richer house than yours”; “I do not desire a boot that is too big for my foot,” “The joy of the heart is a wife,” “The heritage of God is sons.” This is how Jewish boys were prepared in advance for family life.

The girl knew only one thing - that she needed to learn to be a kind and zealous housewife and, even if her father had wooed her in childhood, she would be given the right to make her own choice. The law considered it desirable that parents should not rush into betrothal until the daughter decides whether she likes the groom.

Immediately after the engagement, the parents of the bride and groom entered into a written agreement. This legal document, which indicated the size of the dowry and the time of the wedding. An indispensable condition was that the parents of the bride and groom after the wedding should offer the newlyweds both shelter and board for two years. The contract stipulated that if one of the parties violated it without good reason, then those who violated pay a fine. The contract could be terminated, but if the groom sent gifts and they were accepted, then the contract became law. "Ktubah" - a marriage contract - determined the duties of the groom and the size of the dowry on each side.

As a rule, weddings took place in the fall. On the appointed day, when relatives and friends accompanied the bride and groom, a Jewish orchestra played: violin, lute, cymbal and tambourines. The guests were in the synagogue or in the square near it. The bride and groom stood under the wedding canopy. The groom put the ring on the bride and said the traditional words: “With this ring you are dedicated to me according to the faith and law of Moses and Israel.” The rabbi read the Ketubah and then he or the cantor chanted the seven wedding blessings. The groom was given a glass in his hands, and he broke it in memory of the destroyed Jerusalem Temple. Thus ended the religious part of the wedding ceremony.

Further, the wedding was of a secular nature. They sang about the groom, about the bride, about mothers. The bride performed a dance with a scarf; only men danced with her. On the second and third days, the newlyweds were invited to visit. And then everyday life went on. A feature of family life was its isolation, which determined its purity and strength. Violation married life immediately attracted severe condemnation from the community.

Jews did not differ in clothing from the local population. In different historical periods they wore Greek, Byzantine, Genoese clothes. By the middle of the 19th century. by clothing it was possible to determine from which places in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Germany the refugees arrived. Sometimes there were people dressed in a lapserdak with tzitzis, a skullcap, a hat with a fur trim, wide-brimmed hats, and wide, long-brimmed Turkish caftans, similar in cut to cassocks. These were very religious community members. Such clothing practically disappeared in the second half of the 19th century, because... Those who wore it were subject to heavy fines.

Judaism as a way of life needs ritual. For Jews, any ritual reminds them of the place God occupies in their lives. Religious practice is seen as a discipline that helps to improve the character of everyone, as a form of instruction. It gives the Jew the opportunity to relive the experience of his people and thereby strengthens his devotion; this is a way for a people to survive and preserve faith.

Prayer. A Jew is required to pray daily, three times a day. His prayers are supposed to be moral and not hostile to the interests of others. Prayer should be done in deep concentration, self-absorption. It is preferable to pray in a synagogue, since public prayer is more effective.

Food prohibitions are considered part of a special code of holiness that applies only to the Jewish people. They are not considered desirable or obligatory for all humanity.

Holidays. Among the main holidays and holy days are Shabbat (Saturday), a weekly day of rest in memory of the creation of the world and the exodus from Egypt; Rosh Hashanah (New Year), the anniversary of the creation of the world and a day of spiritual and moral renewal; Yom Kippur (Judgment Day), a day of repentance and return to God through spiritual renewal and good deeds; Sukkot (Tabernacles), nine days (in Israel and the Reformists have eight), dedicated to the autumn harvest and reminiscent of wanderings in the desert, the last day of the holiday is Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah); Pesach (Easter), which marks the onset of spring and liberation from Egyptian slavery; Shavuot (Pentecost), partly an agricultural holiday, but primarily a remembrance of the day when Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai; Chanukah (Feast of Dedication, or Lights), celebrated in honor of the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Antiochus Epiphanes, as a result of which the Jews achieved freedom professing one's religion; Purim (the festival of the Lots, or Esther), to commemorate the defeat of Haman, who plotted to destroy the Jews; Tisha B'Av (Ninth of Av), a day of mourning in memory of the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

Rituals of birth and coming of age. When a male child is born, he is circumcised foreskin so that the union-contract with God is marked with a sign on the body. Boys are named at circumcision. Girls are given a name in the synagogue. The ritual of ransoming first-born boys is carried out on the thirtieth day after birth. In connection with the beginning of children's education, initiation ceremonies are performed. Upon reaching the age of 13, boys (and in Conservative and some Reform communities also girls) participate in a bar mitzvah ceremony (for girls, a bat mitzvah), allowing them to enter the community of Israel as full members, responsible for their actions. In the 19th century In conservative and reformist communities, a confirmation ceremony was introduced for boys and girls, usually performed on the day of Shavuot.

Marriage ceremony. First there is a solemn betrothal (engagement). Then on the Saturday preceding the wedding, the groom is invited to read the Torah in the synagogue (not usually practiced in Reform communities). During wedding ceremony the bride and groom stand under the chuppah - a canopy (this does not always happen among reformists). Standing under the chuppah, the bride and groom drink wine from the same glass. The groom puts the ring on forefinger bride and pronounces the ancient formula proclaiming that a man takes a woman as his wife. Seven blessings are pronounced to the glory of God (the Reformists have one). In memory of the destruction of the Temple, the groom breaks the glass from which he and his bride drank wine (this is not done in Reform communities). The final blessing is accepted among the reformists. In Orthodox communities, the marriage contract (ketubbah) is also read at the ceremony.

Funeral ritual. Before dying, the dying person confesses. Relatives of the deceased tear their clothes (this custom is common among Orthodox Christians). A candle is lit in memory of the deceased. The body of the deceased is dressed in a white shroud (among the Orthodox). During the burial, the Kaddish is recited, a prayer praising God and expressing readiness to accept his will. Deep mourning lasts a week, during which the mourners do not leave the house (for reformists this period is shorter). Mourners recite Kaddish in synagogue for eleven months. After a year, a tombstone is placed on the grave. The anniversary of death (“Yorzeit”) is celebrated by lighting a memorial candle and reciting the Kaddish. On the holidays of Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot, a memorial service is performed, during which they read funeral prayer"Yizkor."

The Jewish month is determined by the moon, i.e. the length of the month is equal to the time the moon revolves around the earth - between 29 and 30 days. The day when a new moon is born is a new moon, Rosh Chodesh. The entire time she “lives” lasts the same month. The very meaning of the word hodesh (month) indicates this: it is the same root as the word hadash (new), i.e. the month begins with the new moon. On the last Saturday before the start of the new month, they pray and perform the “Blessing of the Month” ceremony. Some communities also host a festive meal.

Passover (Easter)

The great holiday of the historical Exodus of the Jews from Egypt and the rebirth of nature confirms this philosophical idea. The holiday is called Pesach 14 Nisan (Passover, March-April). Passover in Hebrew means “to pass by, to pass by.” According to biblical legend, death passed over the Jews on the night when the firstborn of Egypt died.

Passover is a holiday on which Jews celebrate one of the most significant events in their history - liberation from Egyptian slavery. For more than three thousand years, every spring, Jews all over the world seem to walk the path from slavery to freedom anew, making every step of this journey a part of their own lives.

According to the commandment, on Passover it is forbidden to eat leavened bread and products made from cereals: wheat, barley, oats and millet. One of the most famous Easter customs- eat matzah for seven days. Matzo is made from flour and water, without salt (unleavened bread). Matzo is a symbol of freedom and at the same time a reminder that the Jews were slaves.

They prepared for the holiday in 10-15 days. In more prosperous houses, Easter (kashir) dishes were kept separately and used only on Easter. Poor families “cooked” their usual dishes for the holiday: washed, cleaned, boiled.

The main event of this unique celebration is a family meal called the Seder. It is held on the first two evenings of the holiday. The carefully designed ritual consists of 15 stages. It culminates in answers to four questions (essentially one question: “How is this night different from other nights?”).

1. Why on all nights can we eat both chametz (“leavened”, “leavened” - any flour dish, including bread, during the preparation of which a fermentation process occurred in the dough), and matzo, but on this night only matzo?

2. Why do we eat different greens on all nights, but on this night we eat bitter greens?

3. Why don’t we dip our food on all nights, but on this night we dip it twice?

Why is it that on all other nights we can eat sitting, upright and with our elbows, but on this night we all drink with our elbows?

Purim

Historical events of distant antiquity became the basis of the spring holiday “Purim”. This holiday is about two and a half thousand years old. It originated when the Jewish people were in exile and is dedicated to the miracle of the survival of the Jewish people. The history of this holiday is the story of a meeting with burning hatred of Jews, with an unbridled desire to destroy the entire Jewish people.

Two important mitzvot that Jews observe on Purim are mishloach manot (literally, “sending food”) and “giving gifts to the poor.” On Purim, you can see adults and children on the streets carrying plates and trays with pies, sweets, and bottles of wine. This commandment was given to strengthen friendship and brotherhood among the Jews.

The deep meaning of the commandment “gifts to the poor” is that it is on this day of general joy and fun that one must remember the needy brothers and try to ensure that they also take part in the fun and do not lack anything. It is customary to entrust the fulfillment of this commandment to children in order to accustom them to it.

Another ancient custom that gives Purim its special cheerful mood is masks and masquerade costumes. There is one explanation for this custom: one of the most important commandments that is fulfilled on Purim is the commandment of “gifts to the poor,” i.e. tzedakah, charity. A The best way to fulfill this commandment - to give money to those in need so that the poor person does not know who exactly gave him the money. That’s why they dress up in masquerade costumes on Purim, so that the poor do not recognize their benefactors and are not embarrassed.

Ordinary pies and cookies are baked in the shape of crocodiles, turtles, hares and other funny toys. The most famous dish of Purim is triangular pies with poppy seeds - homentashen (homentashi).

Sukkot Tabernacles

On the 15th day of the month of Tishrei, the holiday of Sukot begins - the most joyful of the main holidays. In the Torah, the holiday is designated as a “time of joy” and a time of harvesting fruits. At the same time, the holiday is associated with the memory of the 40-year wandering of the Jews in the desert. When the Jewish people left Egypt and moved through the desert to come to the Land of Israel, the Almighty surrounded them on all sides with wonderful clouds. During the day they protected people from the scorching sun, at night - from the cold. Jews also lived in huts made of green branches (tabernacles) or tents during the harvest.

In memory of this, Sukot Tabernacles is celebrated for 7 days. When a person leaves his home, his fortress, and goes with his family to live in a hut, he thereby expresses his belief that there is no other shelter in this world except the Almighty.

Shavuot

The Jew enjoys living with the times. This means that a Jew must look into the Torah every day, and his actions, his behavior must correspond to the chapter that relates to today, week, time of year. In other words, every week reading different chapters of the Torah in the synagogue (and each of them, in turn, is divided into 7 parts), we must learn certain lessons for ourselves. Therefore, on Sunday we should take a lesson from the first part, on Monday from the second, etc. The very word “Torah” means teaching because it teaches us Jews how to conduct ourselves in life from day to day, from one year to the next, from holiday to holiday.

Funeral

The number of different kinds of beliefs reflected in the funeral and memorial rites of Judaism is truly countless.

After a complex procedure for ascertaining death, the furniture was completely removed from the deceased’s house. His neighbors poured out all their water supplies - it was believed that the angel of death washed his sword in it. Mourning for the deceased was accompanied by wailing, relatives and friends tore their clothes.

The Talmud prescribes very complex funeral regulations: “The following actions are prohibited to the mourner on the first day by law, but on the last six days by the scribes: shaving the head, washing... anointing the head, performing marital duties, putting on boots, working, reading the law, preparing a luxurious bed, bare your head and welcome others.” The modern funeral rite among adherents of Judaism is very different from the Orthodox (Orthodox - unswervingly adhering to the foundations of some teaching or worldview), and the vast majority of believers today do not comply with the grueling regulations. The religious ritual of a funeral is most often limited to the reading of prayers over the deceased, as a rule, by specially hired readers, and the memorial cycle is limited to orders for the reading of the corresponding prayers in the synagogue. The custom of tearing one's clothes left a cut on the lapel, which is made by the relatives of the deceased.

Jewish wedding: laws and customs

The Jews call the marriage ceremony kiddushin, “dedication.” During this ceremony, the bride is dedicated to her groom and they are united in an unbreakable bond of holiness. The ceremony is usually held under open air. A special canopy is deployed over the bride and groom, which is called Chuppah. This symbolizes that the bride enters the home of her groom and they become one family under the roof of their home.

Under chuppah the betrothal ceremony is performed - Kidushin,– which is led by a rabbi. The groom puts it on the bride's finger Golden ring and says: “Behold, you are dedicated to me as a wife with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel!” From this moment on, the bride is “separated” from all other men and belongs only to her husband, “dedicated” to him. This is the moment of marriage.

Then read out publicly Ketuba- an agreement on the obligations of the groom towards the bride. IN Ketube the obligations that the groom undertakes for the duration of married life are outlined, and the amount of material “insurance” in the event of the death of the husband or divorce is also established. The ketubah must be drawn up before the wedding ceremony.

Continue reading Sheva Berachot- seven wedding blessings, and at the end of the ceremony the groom breaks the glass, because even in the most joyful moments of life we ​​must remember the destruction of the Temple and centuries of exile. After Hoops the bride and groom retire for a while in a special room - Heder Ihud.

This is followed by a festive feast.

After the completion of kiddushin, a festive meal is held. The wedding feast lasts seven days, which are called “seven days of feasting,” with the invitation of “new guests” who were not present at the wedding. Every evening during the festive meal, the “Seven Blessings” are said, in which they express gratitude to the Almighty for creating man and woman and uniting them in marriage.

According to custom, the bride and groom should not see each other in the last week before the wedding.

Hanukkah

During the time of the Second Temple, in the 2nd century. BC, the country of Israel was captured by the Greeks. They forced the Jews to renounce their faith, stop observing the Sabbath and studying the Torah, etc. The Greeks desecrated the Temple, humiliating the people to the extreme. The hour came when the family of temple clergy rebelled, joined by everyone who did not want to come to terms with the destruction of Jewish traditions. The small army of the rebels was led by the warrior Yehuda Makabi. It defeated a powerful enemy. When the soldiers liberated the Temple and wanted to relight the golden Menorah lamp that stood in it, it turned out that all the oil for the Menorah had been desecrated by the Greeks. They found a single jug of pure oil, which could only last for one night. However, the Almighty performed a miracle, and this oil burned for eight whole days.

In memory of the victory over the Greeks and the miracle that occurred in the Jerusalem Temple after the victory of the Jews in 164 BC, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days - starting on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (November-December).

As soon as evening falls, candles are lit in a lamp at the entrance to the house or on the windowsill to announce to the whole world about the miracle performed by the Almighty. Every day one light is added until on the eighth evening all eight are lit. A traditional hymn is sung.
During the holiday, it is customary to eat donuts and hash browns, which are fried in oil - this is reminiscent of the miracle of a jug of oil. Children have a fun holiday on Hanukkah.

Shabbat

The most important holiday is Saturday (“Shabbat”) - peace. This holiday is universal. It recalls the creation of the world and the emergence of the people of Israel. Already in the morning there is a festive mood in the house, the table is set in a special way: candles are burning, there is wine in a silver glass, two challahs (bread) covered with an embroidered napkin. The whole family gathers at the table in festive clothes. There is a lot of food on the table: stuffed and jellied fish, meat cooked according to different recipes, depending on where you live, all kinds of delicacies. Before meals they sing “Shalom Aleichem”. Then the food is blessed. At the table they talk cheerfully about different things. After lunch, another prayer: “Lord, give strength to your people! Lord, bless your people by granting them peace!” The festive mood lasts all day, and in the evening there is farewell to Saturday (“Gavdala”). During Gavdala, a special wicker candle is lit, over which a blessing is pronounced - “the creative light of lights.” After evening prayer, they wish each other a Good Week (“Shavus Tovi”), and everyone sings songs together.

Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat is known as the holiday of tree planting (New Year of the Trees). It is called by the name of the month and day on which it is celebrated: the month is Shevat, and the fifteenth day (in Hebrew - Tu). So, Tu Bishvat is the fifteenth of Shevat, the middle of the Jewish month.

We first encounter this date in the Mishnah (the main set of laws of Halakha - ancient Jewish legislation). According to the Mishnah, it is forbidden to eat the fruit of a tree until it reaches three years of age, since, according to Jewish tradition, the first fruits are dedicated to God. The fruits of the first three years are considered “uncut,” that is, non-kosher and not permitted for consumption. The fruits of the fourth year should, according to tradition, be brought to the Temple, and in the fifth year the farmer himself can eat the fruits from his garden.

According to ancient custom, special meals are held on Tu Bishvat - “ fruit table" The whole family gathers around a table decorated with flowers and decorations made by the children. In the center of the festive table it is customary to place a dish with 15 types of fruits for which the Promised Land is famous: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates, etc. Preparing such a table requires work and money, but it’s worth the effort, to make a holiday for your family.

On this day, it is customary to travel outside the city to plant new trees.

Rosh Hashanah (Rosh Hashanah)

According to Jewish custom, the New Year (“Rosh Hashanah”) is celebrated in September. They celebrate it for two days. The harvest has already been harvested, you can relax and take stock of what you have done during the year, forgive those who offended you, and ask for forgiveness from those you offended. A devout Jew believed that on this day God opens a book in which the deeds of each person are recorded, and everyone is sentenced

On this holiday they eat a lot and deliciously. On festive table There should be grape wine, challah with honey, a fish head, apples with honey. You should definitely eat a pomegranate: “May your merits become numerous, like the seeds in a pomegranate.” They eat the head of a fish, “so that we are the head and not the tail.” And when they dip a piece of apple in honey, they say: “May the New Year be kind and sweet.”

On this day, the SHOFAR (ram's horn) is blown a hundred times in the synagogue, and this solemn sound proclaims the power of God, the gift of the Torah and the coming Messiah.

There is a very ancient custom: on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, in the afternoon, go to the bank of a river or lake to perform the rite of TASHLICH - “throwing” or “shaking out”. Nowadays, there is a custom of throwing bread crumbs into the water - a symbol of our sins and mistakes. After that, everyone goes to visit and gives each other gifts.