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CHAPTER EIGHT:Closing The Circle In Jewish Life Cycle: Rituals, Culture
And Us
Background
7. G-D
An examination of the fundamental values expressed in the
life cycle begins with people so that humans are at the centre of the
system, but that same system must end with the concept of G-d.
G-d stands in the outer ring of the Jewish culture, which is ultimately
about G-d. There have been those who have made philosophical and intellectual
attempts to build the system without G-d – to take G-d out of the
circle, as it were – to reject the final ring on ideological grounds;
there are many more for whom talk of G-d is not meaningful.
But the life cycle system is, of course, built around the
presence of G-d and the affirmation of the world as G-d’s world
and the Jewish People as a people special to G-d.
Throughout the system, not only is G-d present in the rituals, He is
considered a partner of the individual Jew – in the creation of
a child, in the marriage ceremony, in death and mourning. Life is perceived
as coming from G-d and death as returning to G-d. Whether or not one finds
a place for G-d in one’s own belief system, G-d is present, invited
or not, in the life cycle.
It is possible to recognise the “G-d factor” and to emphasise
it; it can be played down and ignored - but it remains there.
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