Religious Rituals Bris - Essay Example

RELIGION AND THEOLOGY RELIGION AND THEOLOGY Religious rituals bris Rites of passage de people’s transitions from a stage in life to another level. Hence, different society’s possess specific rituals both cultural and religious aspects to describe various notable milestones in a personages life, for any noticeable impermanent stage, that alters social status (Kwall, 2015). Betwixt and between illustrates Liminal Period in Rites de Passage as described by Victor Turner. He builds on a class of ritual described by Arnold van Gennep. The work analyzes circumcision as a rite of passage among the Jewish believers. My description results from experiences of a Jewish friend living in Brooklyn in America. His familiarity incorporates a circumcision ritual performed for all male children of Jewish origin on the eighth day from their birth. My friend identifies the ceremony as bris and explains he relevance of the ritual. The paper mainly provides insights into this rite. Overall aim is to connect the stages to Victor Turners concepts incorporated in Betwixt and Between. In Judaism concept’s, Bris or brit milah entails removal of the foreskin from an eight-day-old infant boy’s penis. According to Jewish religious beliefs, bris signifies more than just a snip. The observance includes various traditions, prayers and rituals that shape the community (Jacobs, 2013). Importance of bris evidences even among the non-observant Jews who practice the entire ritual for their male infants not only for hygiene purposes but to show respect to religious teachings. Therefore, bris should follow a logical pattern and observed stages. If a child has no foreskin or if he underwent circumcision without apt religious intent, a figurative circumcision may be performed through an incision of blood from the penis tip. As highlighted by Victor Turner model, bris ceremony also occurs in three stages. The stages broadly encompass the central themes of separation identified as pre-liminal. Then a boy enters a transition commonly called the liminal phase and final phase is the incorporation into the society that Turner terms as post-liminal (The Bris Ceremony, 2014). Bris as a religious concept that emblematically detaches individuals from a normal social structure. First stage of bris (pre-liminal) Bris is applicable to the male members of the society. According to biblical lessons, bris depicts an outward physical sign of the eternal bond between Jewish and God. The Bible in the book of Genesis 17:10-14, and also in Leviticus 12:3 illustrates that covenant progressed through circumcision originates from Abraham and is very particular to the Jew (Hartman, 2007). It shows the Jewish society and teachings propagate through the circumcised boys. Therefore, culture values the ritual and uses the provisions to differentiate authentic male members capable of participating in religious activities. The process has foundations on the Jewish doctrines that a person’s life begins at birth. Hence, Jewish perform this ritual during morning services in the synagogue. After birth, males are separated and prepared for the ceremony. On he eighth days, fathers take their children to synagogue in absence of the mother. A godmother hands him to a godfather who hands him to the sandek (The Bris Ceremony, 2014). After which, he circumcised boys assume societal respect and start grooming into boyhood and finally into manhood. Second phase (liminal phase) After this initiation process of separation, the previous societal status no longer applies to the boys. In the liminal stage of bris, the eight-year-old males assume a symbolic outsider position with no clearly distinct roles or status However, further grooming nurtures the boys. Based on the doctrines, these individuals have the chance to become priests or Jewish leaders in the future. The covenant binds son and father and specifically the infant to himself. In an event that a father fails to circumcise his son, the son has obligations to have himself circumcised as soon as he becomes an adult. Uncircumcised agonizes the penalty of kareit, or spiritual expurgation. Hence, an uncircumcised Jew is worthless regardless of his future roles or positions. In addition, he Jewish society does not accord respect for such people. In other instances, Jewish people consider uncircumcised males as outcasts (Hartman, 2007). The liminal stage of the ritual places circumcised boys at the boundaries of society as they organize themselves to adopt a new responsibility. Thus, circumcised male members of the Jewish society undergo specific trainings including formal, informal and religious lessons that shape their characters. Particularly, males get trainings about importance of catechism in the pursuit of maintaining the covenant with God and Abraham (Nancy K Grant, 2008). Other notable teachings during his sage entail societal expectations and religious transitions to manhood coupled with immense faith shown by father Abraham. Final phase (post-liminal) The final stage of bris involves fusion into the conventional Judaism culture of religious beliefs and practices. The circumcised males are allowed back into the society through the mentorship of godfathers. As they progress in age, they are continually involved in the daily operations of the church and household (Wise, 2009 ). It is a significant stage that allows the individuals who are proved fit to adopt a new social status of lineage propagation and re-entry into society. Boy’s take significant leadership positions in temples while some join particular institutions for training for the priesthood. In the footsteps of forefather Abraham, the circumcised males learn humility, service to God and respect o he religious institutions and persons. In most instances, his integration stage is a continuous process, and young adults should have close contact with religious leaders. Common knowledge is that proximity to the leaders instills inspiration to the future leaders. Besides, this leaders possess a rich base of knowledge and wisdom that is exceedingly beneficial for cognitive, spiritual and social development of the young members of the Jewish society (Wise, 2009 ). Besides, fathers play a significant role in guiding the character of male kids during this stage in life. The fathers act as role models and help observe progress of sons according stipulations of Jewish Law. In conclusion, the general objective of the bris is to provide a comprehensive rite of passage that maintains origin of Judaism and progresses the teachings for the future generations. Judaism fundamental teachings recognize importance of tolerance among children as the basis for strong religious foundations. In m view, I depict this ritual as a unifying factor among Jewish descendants. References Hartman, D. (2007). The boundaries of Judaism. New York: Continuum. Jacobs, R. L. (2013, Februar 24). The Brit Milah (Bris) Ceremony. Retrieved March 4, 2015, from My Jewish Learning: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Events/Newborn_Ceremonies/Liturgy_Ritual_and_Customs/For_Boys.shtml Kwall, R. R. (2015). The myth of the cultural Jew : culture and law in Jewish tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. Nancy K Grant, D. J. (2008). A Guidebook to Religious and Spiritual Practices for People Who Work with People. Kansas: iUniverse. The Bris Ceremony. (2014, September 12). Retrieved March 4, 2015, from Kveller: http://www.kveller.com/article/the-bris-ceremony/ Wise, I. (2009 ). Judaism. London: Applewood Books. Read More