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Brit Milah

THE FULL STORY

JEWISH LIFE CYCLE EVENTS

Just as the year is punctuated with designated holy days, fasts and feasts, so within Judaism our lives also contain special religious events and rituals to mark both happy and sad times. From birth to death, we find our religion replete with special occasions that bring the family and community together.

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Brit Milah

“You and your descendants shall keep My covenant.” (Genesis 17:10)

Birth

“May the Eternal bless you and keep you.” (Numbers 6:24)

 

Mazal tov on the birth of your baby. You can have your baby blessed on a Shabbat morning up to six months after birth.  It is a wonderful time to invite your friends and family to join you and the community as we bless your child, provide their Hebrew name and a certificate.   

Please contact our Rabbi if you wish to discuss dates and the content of the ritual.

If you would like your baby boy to be circumcised, please contact the Beit Emanuel office 011 646 6170 who can provide you with a list of Progressive Mohalim (ritual circumcisers), who are also trained doctors

Bar and Bat-Mitzvahs

Bnei Mitzvah

​“I give thanks for what I have learned of my Jewish heritage.” (Siddur Lev Chadash)

Torah

The bar/bat mitzvah is a child’s first public act of personal commitment to Judaism, an opportunity to demonstrate a mastery of the basic elements of the religion, such as knowledge of the central prayers of the service, the meaning of the liturgy, and the ability to read  and understand a Torah portion. It is the culmination of many months of study, during which the entire family are expected to show their support by assisting with the learning and accompanying their child to Shabbat and festival services.

In the Progressive tradition, we do not discriminate against girls: they have the same opportunity as boys to lay claim to the Torah, to hold it, to recite the blessings and to read from it. For many girls, the privilege of celebrating a “proper” religious bat mitzvah is one of the key attractions of the Progressive service.

 

At Beit Emanuel we encourage children to begin their bnei mitzvah preparations at the age of ten, although younger children are welcome.

More about Bar/Bat-Mitzvahs

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Marriage

“The voice of joy and gladness, the voice of bridegroom and bride”. (Jeremiah 33:11)

Marriage is amongst the most joyous celebrations in any community.  We recommend that you contact our Rabbi as soon as you make the happy decision to have a Jewish wedding and before you fix a date. Contact Rabbi (click through)We look forward to helping you and sharing your happy day with you and your family. Traditional Jewish law requires that both partners to a marriage be Jewish. No distinction is made between those born Jewish and those who have converted to become Jewish. Under the agreement between the Progressive Rabbis and the Progressive synagogues in South Africa, known as Minhag South Africa, our Rabbis may perform marriages only between persons who are both Jewish.The South African Union for Progressive Judaism, in common with progressive movements around the world, has ruled that Rabbis and Marriage Officers may conduct same sex marriages between two Jews. Beit Emanuel welcomes applications from all Jews who wish to be married under Progressive Jewish auspices. Progressive Judaism no longer recognises the ancient category of mamzer, which discriminates against those born out of wedlock, and also does not restrict the freedom of cohanim (priests) to marry any other Jew.Beit Emanuel also encourages other rituals related to marriage, for example renewal of oath ceremonies and celebrations to mark significant anniversaries of the wedding.We can offer both civil and religious wedding services, at the synagogue itself or at another venue.Members receive a discounted rate of up to 30%.Rates listed, cover the actual marriage ceremony; other expenses such as the venue and catering are for the couple’s account.Once a booking has been made, an initial deposit of R1 000 is required to confirm the date (the amount is deductible from the total amount.)

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