In order to fulfil the covenant with ‘Then God said to Abraham, “As God that was first made by for you, you must keep my covenant… Abraham, Jewish boys are This is my covenant with you and your circumcised eight descendants after you, the covenant Answer in full sentences or copy out the question! days after their birth. you are to keep: Every male among This is known as 1. What is the covenant God made with Abraham? you shall be circumcised… For the 2. What does ‘’ mean? Brit Milah, which generations to come every male 3. What is ‘’? means ‘the among you who is eight days old 4. What is a mohel and what do they do? LO: To learn what happens after covenant of 5. Why does the circumcision take place on the birth of a Jewish child must be circumcised.”’ the cutting’. Elijah’s chair?

6. What is given to new-born Jewish babies? 7. What is the meaning of ‘Abraham’? 8. When is a baby girl’s announced? 9. What does the Hebrew name help to do? When a Jewish baby is born, he or 10. How is relationship with God shown through she is often given a Hebrew name as Circumcision is a spall operation to Brit Milah? well as another name. In the , remove the flap of skin at the end of the Hebrew names of many people the penis. This can be done by a have a particular meaning or doctor or by a mohel. A mohel is a Jew who is specially trained in Jewish significance. For example, Abraham, Choose one of the tasks below to complete! who was the founder of , circumcision. o Make an information sheet to describe how name new-borns and means ‘father of many’. David means, ‘beloved’; King David led • Brit Milah is performed in front of a minyan (ten enter them into God’s covenant. Make sure you explain the difference between Orthodox and Reform (Progressive) Jews. men) the Israelite people for many years. o Write a series of arguments to debate both for and against performing • The baby is placed on a chair called Elijah's chair. This represent an ancient belief that the Brit Milah on a new-born baby. spirit of Elijah (a prophet) visits every o circumcision Imagine you are the father or mother of a new-born Jewish child. Write a diary entry about the celebration of your baby’s birth. • After the circumcision, the father recites a blessing

• Relationship with God is shown through On the after the birth of a circumcision as it represents the covenant girl, the father is usually asked to made with Abraham. A prayer is said to show read from the Torah in the the importance of the child’s relationship with synagogue, from the bimah. This is a God: great honour. The name of the baby • “That as this child had entered into the Write an extended answer to the question below. girl is usually announced and the covenant, so may he “Brit Milah makes a person Jewish.” will say a blessing for her. enter into the Torah, the marriage canopy and into good Discuss the statement showing that you have thought of more than one deeds” point of view. You must refer to religion and belief in your answer. Boys Meaning Girls Meaning The Hebrew name (15 marks) Aaron Aaron, the High Gila Joy, happiness helps to link • Identity is reinforced through the ceremony – Priest, was generations together the boy is given a Hebrew name that will be Use these sentence starters to help you: Moses’ brother as the tradition is used in the synagogue and on formal occasions Adin Gentle, delicate, Idit (Iddit) Best soil; the 1. Some Jews agree with this statement because… continued. The tender best, elite • There ceremony does not make the child a Jew 2. Some Jews disagree with this statement because… Hebrew name is also Haggai To dance, Levia (Levi’a) Lioness but it is a symbol that he has entered into the 3. Another argument might be that… celebrate the name that is used covenant in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah For each sentence, use PEEA (Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis). Peleg Brook, creek, Adi Jewel, ornament • Today, Brit Milah is a traditional ritual, celebrated and often on a For example: stream by most families. Traditionally, only men attend P – Make your point person’s tombstone. Rahamim Compassion, Doron Present, gift, the ceremony, however in Reform communities E – Back it up with evidence or examples (Rachamim) pity, mercy offering women are E – Explanation (link back to the statement) Ram High, tall, lofty; Edna Pleasure, delight encouraged to be present too A – Say what is good or bad about the point you have just made exalted, supreme