Babies & Brit Shalom Ceremonies

Circumcising conversion candidates – ‘the most unkindest cut of all’ [2019]

Babies & Brit Shalom Ceremonies, Life Cycle /

My first article on the topic of circumcision was in 2011, and called: “If male, is he circumcised?” Covenant, community, compassion and conscience Jewish boys and the choice not to circumcise Even though circumcision is not a halachic criterion for establishing Jewish status for a boy, there is a strong and widespread religious and social […]

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Celebrating Brit Shalom (book by Moss & Wald)

Babies & Brit Shalom Ceremonies, Life Cycle, Liturgy / Siddur, Notes on books /

There are many websites, resources, and articles, by noted medical experts, rabbis and authorities on Jewish tradition and halachah (law) that set out the arguments both against brit milah (the circumcision ritual for Jewish boys), and for alternative welcoming, naming and covenant ceremonies (such as brit shalom) that do not involve cutting or drawing of blood. You will find a number of useful resources

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“If male, is he circumcised?” Covenant, community, compassion and conscience [2011/2016]

1 Comment / Babies & Brit Shalom Ceremonies, Jewish concepts & customs, Life Cycle /

[I am addressing the question of circumcision in Judaism by looking at Liberal Judaism UK. Please bear in mind as you read this article, that I believe that the Liberal Jewish movement plays a vital role in the ethical awareness of the Jewish people, and has done much good to challenge and update Judaism, not

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Before we ever said hello

Babies & Brit Shalom Ceremonies, Death, Life Cycle, Liturgy / Siddur, Poems, Prayer / T'fillah /

In Lev. 10, Aaron’s two sons are consumed by fire, and die. There is a cryptic sentence in the text: “Vayidom Aharon.” This is often translated as ‘Aaron was silent’, or ‘Aaron held his peace.’ But neither of these does justice to the Hebrew verb, which really means, ‘Aaron was struck dumb / became still’. Rabbi

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