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CHAPTER EIGHT:Closing The Circle In Jewish Life Cycle: Rituals, Culture
And Us
Background
5. Life-Affirming
This outlook on life might be termed life-affirming. It not only accepts
the world around it: it embraces it and celebrates it. Life is of the
greatest value in the Jewish tradition and this is reflected time and
again in the life cycle:
- Children are celebrated;
- The family is given a central place as the arena in which life is
accepted and developed;
- The sexual drive is seen as a life-affirming force, rather than as
an evil subverting force.
- Great attempts are made so that the individual will not be left alone.
These values have developed so centrally within the life cycle system,
and the concept of community being so central, and the community being
composed traditionally, those outside the “normal” family
structure are likely to encounter major problems in finding their place
in the community. In writing this series it therefore became necessary
to add a specific chapter about the problems and challenges of those who
do not fit into the traditional model, because, in the modern world, “traditional
values” pose major challenges when so many fail to find their place
within them.
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