Jewish traditions are very strong, and many families uphold them throughout the cycle of life. From the birth and naming of a child to the mourning of a death, the circle of life is celebrated with various Jewish traditions that have been passed down through the generations.
Naming a Child. There is an ancient Jewish saying about the beauty of birth: “With each child, the world begins anew.” Jewish parents take this seriously when they are choosing what to name their child. Jewish names are meant to honor the past while carrying a child into the future. The name pays homage to those who came before, but gives the child something to aspire to in its own lifetime. It is believed that the name of a child is closely tied to the essence of who he or she will become. For this reason, many parents choose to give their child two names – one is the secular name, or the one they will be called by their peers. The other is their Hebrew name, which usually begins with the same letter as the secular name, and is meant to guide their religious path.
Death to Burial. In Jewish tradition, the moment of death is an honor for those who are there to witness the peaceful transition from one world to the next. If someone is there with the person when they pass away, they are not to leave the room. The eyes and mouth of the deceased are closed, and a sheet is pulled over his face. The body is positioned so the feet are facing the doorway.
Though the body is now only an empty vessel, it is treated with the utmost respect for having once housed the spirit of God. Since in death there is no distinction between society, between the rich or the poor, everyone is dressed the same, in a simple shroud and a prayer shawl. The fringe of the shawl is cut to symbolize the period of loss and mourning. During the preparation of the body, the immediate family is not expected to be present; however, no one is to leave the body alone between the time of death and the moment of burial.
The body is then buried as soon as possible. The traditional way involves either a simple wooden coffin with no adornments, or placing the body directly into the ground, with no covering but the shroud and shawl.
The funeral service that accompanies the burial is meant to honor the dead and to comfort those who are left to mourn. The immediate family often partakes in the “rendering of the garment,” a ritual that involves cutting a garment across the breast, signifying the ultimate separation from the person who has passed on. It is also a psychological relief, as it allows the person who is mourning to let out their feelings and be comforted by those around them.
In our next post we will talk about other Jewish rituals in the circle of life, and what they mean to those who honor them.