Ritual
Ritual Slaughter Of Animals Officially Banned In Belgium
The Flemish Region passed the measure over vociferous objections by faith community leaders. It will go into effect January 1.
The Forward Guide To The Mikveh
What is mikveh? We’re so happy you asked.
Are Jewish Parents Opting Out Of Circumcision?
One rabbi spoke of a “don’t ask/don’t tell policy” of parents not circumcising their sons.
Let’s Create New Jewish Rituals To Cope With the Trump Era
Reacting to an atmosphere of bigotry after Trump’s election, Jewish activists are coming together to mobilize as Jews.
We Need a New Jewish Ritual for the Terminally Ill
Jews have a ritual for almost everything. But we have no way to ritually embrace someone who wants to reaffirm ties to the community and to God before death. So, Michael Millenson created it.
Europe Lawmakers Pass Anti-Circumcision Measure
A resolution that calls male ritual circumcision a “violation of the physical integrity of children” was passed overwhelmingly by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
A Clarifying Moment of Disunity on Yom Kippur
The ritual of the ‘Avodah Service’ in the middle of the Yom Kippur day of prayer — recalling the Temple sacrifice — encapsulates all that divides the Jewish people.
Marking Gender Transition in the Mikveh
When Max Strassfeld helped write a ritual for a friend’s transition, he mapped contemporary ideas about gender onto a very traditional Jewish space — the mikveh.
Polish Court Outlaws Kosher Slaughter
A constitutional court in Poland reportedly has ruled against allowing Jewish and Muslim ritual slaughter in the country.
Saying Goodbye, With or Without Belief
Earlier this summer, after we finished sitting shiva for my grandmother, I sifted through her top drawer. This was the drawer she herself had frequently rummaged through when I would visit her apartment, either to attempt to press cab fare into my hand, or to show me a pin or scarf that would be mine someday, or in the last year or so, to give one of these things to me or my mother, to unburden herself. So that afternoon in the almost-empty apartment, I thought I knew what I would find: her phi beta kappa pin, her necklace with the head of medusa on it (my grandmother loved mythology), her pearls and wedding ring, an old locket my family had given her after her sister died, and other sentimental trinkets that might make me laugh, nod and cry.