CHAPTER TWO - BIRTH CEREMONIES AND LIFE BEGINNINGS

A: BACKGROUND

16. FINAL WORDS: THE POWER OF RITUAL AND HOW TO RETAIN IT

As we reach the end of this unit, we repeat and develop the idea raised in the introductory section and echoed in the previous unit: life cycle ceremonies and moments can be decoded to lay bare a complex and fascinating value system. Some of the values might be problematic for many modern Jews, but the richness of the tradition should serve as a challenge. Even if parts of the values and of the traditional ideas are difficult to some, the aim should be not to ignore them. Rather, the challenge should be to find those values and ideas in the traditional ceremonies with which individuals can identify and to adjust the ceremonies, so that they meet the needs of the individuals and the families in question.

This process of revaluation has been going on inside Judaism for thousands of years, and it prevents ceremonies and traditions from becoming obsolete. As the ceremonies retain their essence, the values attached to them develop in accordance with the changes in the needs of the Jews themselves. This is the basis of a healthy living tradition. In the following units we will see how this process continues to develop in other sections of the life cycle.