Judaism, with a history of about 4,000 years, is one of the world’s oldest religions and forms the basis for many of the values and traditions found in Christianity and Islam. With approximately 12 million Jews worldwide, 6 million of whom reside in Israel, Jewish cultural practices and customs play an important role in preserving Jewish identity and heritage.

The Cycle of Life in the Jewish Religion

Nativity is an important event in Jewish life, accompanied by specific religious ceremonies and customs. For boys, the circumcision ceremony, known as britt speak, takes place when the infant is eight days old. If for medical reasons it needs to be delayed, the ceremony takes place as soon as possible after the eighth day. Circumcision is performed by a skilled and pious Jew, Mohel, who may also be a professional doctor. Often, the name of the boy is not announced until circumcision is performed. For girls, naming usually takes place in the synagogue, usually on the first Saturday after birth.

The Bar Mitzvah ceremony for boys and Bat Mitzvah for girls marks their coming of age and full integration into the community. The boys, at the age of 13, celebrate Bar Mitzvah, which literally means “the son of commandments.” The girls, respectively, celebrate Bat Mitzvah at 12 years old. It is preceded by a period of intensive preparation and study, for both boys and girls, to gain a deeper understanding of their religious obligations and tradition.

Weddings are important ceremonies that take place on all days except the Sabbath, Jewish holidays, and specific periods of mourning as defined by the Jewish calendar. A Jewish wedding can be celebrated anywhere, although it usually takes place inside the synagogue or outside. It is common for friends and relatives of newlyweds to host gala dinners and lunches in the week following the ceremony, thus strengthening social ties and community solidarity.

When a Jew passes away, the care of the body is of the utmost importance and treated with the greatest respect. The body is never left unattended and must remain as untouched as possible. With closed eyes and jaws, the body of the deceased is covered with a white shroud. The funeral is held as soon as possible, often on the same day of death. In Orthodox Jewish communities, crowds of people can accompany the body, marching through the streets and lamenting the deceased.

Forensic examinations are prohibited by Jewish law unless civil law makes them absolutely necessary. Some Reformed and Liberal communities allow cremation, but Orthodox Jews strictly forbid cremation. After the funeral, close relatives of the deceased spend a seven-day period of mourning in their homes, known as shiva. During this time, they receive visits from friends and community members, who come to offer them comfort and support.

The Currents of Judaism

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Jews believe in the Torah as the main source of Jewish law and morality. The Torah includes the commandments Moses received from God on Mount Sinai 4,000 years ago and is part of the Tanakh, the Jewish biblical canon corresponding to the Old Testament for Christians. In addition, Orthodox Jews follow the Talmud, the source of codified Jewish law known as Alaha. The strictly Orthodox, known as Haredi, are easily recognizable because of their distinctive attire. They wear traditional clothes and cover their heads with hats or kippahs. Other Orthodox Jews may dress modern and more socially integrated, but they often wear kippahs as a sign of respect for God.

Conservatives (Masorti), Reformers & Liberal Jews

Members of these currents do not observe the faith in the same way as Orthodox Jews. For example, they may not consider it necessary to wear a head covering or have a different approach to observing the Sabbath and fasting. In these communities, women are allowed to act as rabbi, and men and women sit together in the synagogue. Many Jews may not be affiliated with any particular denomination or apply all traditional rules, but they still identify as Jews and participate in the cultural and religious life of their community.

Sabbath Observance (Shabbat)

Saturday or Shabbat is the holiest day of the week for Jews. It begins on Friday night at sunset and lasts until the first three stars rise on Saturday night. It is a day of rest, spirituality and family gathering.
Orthodox Jews follow strict rules during the Sabbath, refraining from any form of “work.” This includes:
Commercial transactions: Shops and businesses remain closed.
Transportation: Avoid driving and using public transport.
Use of electronic devices: They do not use phones, computers, televisions or other electronic devices.
Use of money: They do not make financial transactions.
Writing and transporting objects: Avoid writing and transporting objects in public places without religious indication (Eruv).
These rules can only be circumvented in cases where human life is threatened, such as medical emergencies

Eating Habits and Practices

Jewish dietary practices are governed by Kashrut, Jewish dietary law, which determines which foods are permissible (kasher) and how they should be prepared and served. The term “kaser” means “suitable” or “clean” and refers to foods that meet Kashrut standards. Jews who apply Kashrut rules consume only foods approved by rabbinical authorities. This means that products such as meat, fresh or packaged, and foods containing dairy products must bear a special certification seal. This certification ensures that the products meet the required specifications and have been manufactured in accordance with religious principles.

Basic rules of Kashrut:

Allowed animals: It is allowed to eat meat from animals that have forked hooves and chew their food, such as cows, sheep and goats. Pork and shellfish are prohibited.
Slaughter of animals: Animals must be slaughtered in a specific, humane way (Shechita) by a trained slaughterer (Shochet). This ensures that the animal suffers as little as possible.
Separation of meat and dairy: According to the commandment “thou shalt not cook the goat in his mother’s milk” (Exodus 23:19), the Jews do not consume dairy products along with meat. These two types of food are cooked and served separately.
Cooking utensils and dishes: For faithful Jews, all cooking utensils, crockery, and cutlery should be used exclusively for kasher food. In addition, utensils used to prepare meat are not used for dairy and vice versa. Delicacies containing meat and those containing dairy are stored in separate places, cooked in different utensils and served in different dishes.
Dining and eating outside the home: Jews who observe the tradition eat exclusively in restaurants supervised by the official authority of Kashrut. These restaurants ensure that all food and its preparation processes comply with religious rules.
Meaning of Kashrut: Observance of dietary laws is not only a matter of health or hygiene, but mainly of spiritual discipline and obedience to religious commandments. The rules of Kashrut help believers maintain a constant connection with their faith, even through the daily practice of eating. During certain holidays, such as Pesach (Easter), dietary rules are made even stricter, with the ban on the consumption of fermented products (Hamets). In cases of emergency, such as when kasher food is not available, there are specific guidelines on what is allowed to be eaten.

Clothing and Residences

Pious Jewish men never walk around with their heads uncovered and usually wear a small cap, known as a kippah or yarmulke. Some may also wear a garment called talit with fringes called chichit, which can be seen below their waist. Similarly, married Orthodox Jewish women cover their hair or wear a wig as a sign of humility. They dress modestly, often avoiding trousers, short skirts or short-sleeved clothes.

Finally, traditional Jewish homes can be identified by a characteristic element: the mezuzah. It is a small box containing two biblical verses written on papyrus. The mezuza is placed on the right door panel in many rooms of Jewish homes, including the main entrance

Synagogue and prayer

The synagogue is the central place of worship and gathering for the Jewish community. Male police officers entering a synagogue are not required to wear a hat, but the act of covering the head will be duly appreciated and seen as a sign of respect for religious traditions. Discretion is also required when taking photos, videos or audio recordings within the synagogue, particularly during Shabbat and festive services and ceremonies.
According to tradition, all men and boys over the age of 13 pray three times a day. Although they are allowed to pray privately, many prefer to go to the synagogue to pray in the presence of at least ten people. Such a prayer group, known as a minian, is especially important, especially when the person is in a period of mourning.
Daily morning prayer usually takes place between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and lasts at least 45 minutes. During prayer, men wear tefilin, or leather boxes containing biblical texts, and a wrap called talit. Afternoon and evening prayers usually last about a quarter of an hour. Women pray without necessarily wearing a scarf or tefilin.
The protocol followed in the synagogue varies according to Jewish denomination. In Orthodox Jewish synagogues, women sit separately from men, usually on the upper balcony or in a side area next to men. Men wear the traditional head covering, and married women always cover their heads with hats, wigs or scarves, dressed conservatively. In contrast, in Conservative, Reformist and Liberal synagogues, men and women usually sit together during mass. The Hebrew language is the traditional language of prayer and is used to varying degrees and extent in liturgies and ceremonies, depending on the denomination. The use of the Hebrew language is an important element of the religious identity and unity of the community, offering a connection to ancient traditions and sacred texts.
Overall, the synagogue and prayer practices reflect the diversity and richness of Jewish traditions. The differences in customs and protocols between different denominations highlight the flexibility and adaptability of Judaism, while maintaining respect for the basic principles and values that unite the Jewish community around the world.