Bris ???

[mickeyfan2]

What happens if the child is born prematurely and has to stay in the hospital for a few weeks or a few months?

In our family (cousin's husband was Jewish) when their son was born premature he was circumsized in the hospital but not on the 8th day. They wanted him to get stronger first. The second son was full term and had his Bris done on the 8th day.

 

[marlasmom]

It isn't even a matter of learning in a religion class. I was thinking about novels, i.e. Belva Plain, Barbara Bradford, many others involving Catholics and various Protestant sects. I don't know if I am making any sense (probably not) but it seems as though it's being aware of the world around you. I think I have at least superficial knowledge of several practices and traditions.

 

[RSoxFan]

Pigeon--I"m right there with you. Neither DH or I wanted to watch (though we were invited to by his pedi)DS's circ at around 36 hrs of age. That's just more than I can handle.

But to the OP: If you can handle it (and you think your kids can) go for it.

But what kind of card do you get the parents? Happy Bris Day? Do they MAKE cards for that sort of occassion? I've seen Happy Hannukuh (Chanukuh?) Cards and Bar/Bat Mitzvah cards, but never a Happy Bris Day card.

Hmm..I could start a whole new greeting card line. Cards to give parents on the day of their son's Bris...

Happy Bris Day! He didn't need that extra skin anyway. Right?
Happy Bris Day! Because it's not mutilation if it's for religious reasons.
Happy Bris Day! Because when God created the *beep*, he added an extra flap, just so the Rabbi could cut it off!


*flame suit on*

TOV

That is completely uncalled for and insensitive. A bris is a religious ceremony in the same way a baptism or a First Communion is. Just because it involves a private body part doesn't make it any less sacred. And just because you don't know anything about it doesn't make it worthless.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

It isn't even a matter of learning in a religion class. I was thinking about novels, i.e. Belva Plain, Barbara Bradford, many others involving Catholics and various Protestant sects. I don't know if I am making any sense (probably not) but it seems as though it's being aware of the world around you. I think I have at least superficial knowledge of several practices and traditions.

Well heck, even if one watched Seinfeld one would know about a bris and a mohel.

 

[marlasmom]

That's a Seinfield I missed. Darn it.

 

[chyam]

Well heck, even if one watched Seinfeld one would know about a bris and a mohel.

Sorry...........couldn't stand Seinfeld, and sorry again for living such a sheltered life, I had no idea what a bris was and now I don't know what a mohel is! I must have been living in a social, uncoultured life in a small hick town in Wis. but to think we should all know these things is a little unrealistic, I am sure there are many who have not grown up in large metropolitan cities that are in the same naive boat that I am.

 

[tar heel]

I'm not Jewish, but DH and I have been to a bris. I would definitely take a gift unless you've already given the baby one. At the one we attended, the actual circ took place in an adjacent room with just a few people present. The actual service included the grandparents presenting the baby, his naming and each of his parents talking about their hopes and dreams for the child. We thought it was moving and wonderful. There was a brunch afterward.

When we had our first son, one of the four OBs in the practice was also the mohel for his congregation. EVERYONE wanted him to circ their little boys!

 

[momrek06]

I'm not Jewish, but DH and I have been to a bris. I would definitely take a gift unless you've already given the baby one. At the one we attended, the actual circ took place in an adjacent room with just a few people present. The actual service included the grandparents presenting the baby, his naming and each of his parents talking about their hopes and dreams for the child. We thought it was moving and wonderful. There was a brunch afterward.

When we had our first son, one of the four OBs in the practice was also the mohel for his congregation. EVERYONE wanted him to circ their little boys!

Back from 1984-1987 we lived in Cherry Hill, NJ. My DH took a job in Philly and we drove around many areas both Philly side and NJ side and we really really like Cherry Hill. We are Catholic and as we rented a Condo looking to buy a home came to realize that this was a large Jewish area...BUT we loved it there and we bought a lovely house there. Hence I came to be very very good friends with many Jewish people.

We attended a Bris of a girl I became very good friends with in CH. She had twin boys. They invited us and I actually decided to teach myself about attending a Bris. I spoke with other friends and my family as I inquired about this tradition in the Jewish Faith.

We went and I was just so moved by the entire Ceremony. Like you, the actual circ was in a separate room but I was just so amazed and moved and impressed with this culture that I was never exposed to going to Catholic schools my whole life.

 

[Beca]

I am Catholic and I knew what a Bris was. I believe to fully understand Christianity one must learn about Judism. I watched a show the other night on the Exodus. The man made a compelling case that the Exodus occurred in 1500 BCE and had historical facts that backed it up. I believe to fully understand Christianity I need to understand Jewish history.

I totally agree!! I feel I did not fully understand my own religion until I started studying Judaism. I have two suggestions for learning (if you have not already studied them)....the "That the World May Know" video series by Ray Van der laan (EXCELLENT study...he takes Christians to the sites where Jesus spoke and did famous moments, and he explains how they would look different to a Jewish person), and also two books by Chuck Missler..."Alien Encounters" and "The Cosmic Codes". He uses math and science to support the Old Testament (especially the first 5 books). Each book was incredibly eye-opening to me. They changed my life.

Oh...I learned about bris's from Sex and the City...that show has taught me SOOO much!!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Sorry...........couldn't stand Seinfeld, and sorry again for living such a sheltered life, I had no idea what a bris was and now I don't know what a mohel is! I must have been living in a social, uncoultured life in a small hick town in Wis. but to think we should all know these things is a little unrealistic, I am sure there are many who have not grown up in large metropolitan cities that are in the same naive boat that I am.

I grew up in the most white-bread suburbia town you could imagine. I am of Mexican-Lebanese heritage and I was the most different one that lived there (well along with my dad who was of Mexican-Lebanese heritage). Where you live does not matter. I do admit to spending some time in a city, but that was not my base of learning. I truly do not think it is unrealistic to read up on and study different religions, different cultures, etc. just for the sake of knowledge. I find it fascinating, but I guess not everyone feels that same way. I like to know who I am sharing my world with.

 

[rigs32]

I find it interesting that several posters mentioned Christian churches or schools talking about or celebrating Passover and Chanukah. The two holidays that happen to occur near the two big Christian holidays. Yet no one mentioned Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur - THE Jewish holidays. It's like Jews learning about Lent and All Saints Day but knowing nothing (or very little) about Christmas and Easter. People know what a dreidel is, but not a shofar.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I consider myself pretty well-read and educated, but I've never heard of Bris either.

We don't have a big Jewish population where I live, but even so, if Bris is so important, I'm surprised I haven't heard of it up until now.

Mushy--thank you. I live in the South where there aren't a lot of Jewish people (I don't think, but then they could all just be hiding from the Southern Baptists for all I know) and while I do know SOME about Judiasm, I am by no means an expert.

just because you don't know anything about it doesn't make it worthless.

I didn't say it was worthless, I just thought it was funny. A lot about religion is funny to me, actually.

And I apologized for being a jerk. What more do you want from me, blood?

TOV

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Well heck, even if one watched Seinfeld one would know about a bris and a mohel.

I first heard about a bris on Cheers (Frasier and Lillith's son). Of course they held in in the bar Then I learned more about it on Seinfeld. You can get educated in the weirdest places.

 

[mickeyfan2]

People know what a dreidel is, but not a shofar.

The shofar is the ram horn that is blown with three different calls. I have heard it done. It is a very pleasant and interesting sound.

 

[punkin]

The shofar is the ram horn that is blown with three different calls. I have heard it done. It is a very pleasant and interesting sound.

Funny, you should find it pleasant. It is certainly beautiful in a rather awful (original meaning) way, but I wouldn't say pleasant. It always made me anxious and nervous...like waiting for a sentence to be pronounced.

 

[momrek06]

I find it interesting that several posters mentioned Christian churches or schools talking about or celebrating Passover and Chanukah. The two holidays that happen to occur near the two big Christian holidays. Yet no one mentioned Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur - THE Jewish holidays. It's like Jews learning about Lent and All Saints Day but knowing nothing (or very little) about Christmas and Easter. People know what a dreidel is, but not a shofar.

Well I cannot ask my sons as they are not available at the moment but the fact my sons Catholic schools discussed Seders and Passover, I am sure they as well discussed Rosh Hashana and other Jewish holidays throughout their THEOLOGY CLASSES. That being said exactly how much of the Catholic Faith is discussed in Jewish Religious Education classes.....CAN ANYONE ANSWER THAT QUESTION?

Despite what people of the Jewish Faith may think...it is NOT Christmas that is THE biggest Catholic holiday of the year BUT instead EASTER is OUR BIGGEST HOLIDAY and how much of EASTER is discussed in Jewish Religious Ed Classes.....?

 

[mickeyfan2]

Funny, you should find it pleasant. It is certainly beautiful in a rather awful (original meaning) way, but I wouldn't say pleasant. It always made me anxious and nervous...like waiting for a sentence to be pronounced.

I found the sound pleasant. Since I am not Jewish the sound does not carry the same meaning to me. Maybe that is why I do not get anxious and nervous when I heard it. I have only heard the three different calls done one time.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Well I cannot ask my sons as they are not available at the moment but the fact my sons Catholic schools discussed Seders and Passover, I am sure they as well discussed Rosh Hashana and other Jewish holidays throughout their THEOLOGY CLASSES. That being said exactly how much of the Catholic Faith is discussed in Jewish Religious Education classes.....CAN ANYONE ANSWER THAT QUESTION?

Despite what people of the Jewish Faith may think...it is NOT Christmas that is THE biggest Catholic holiday of the year BUT instead EASTER is OUR BIGGEST HOLIDAY and how much of EASTER is discussed in Jewish Religious Ed Classes.....?

Christmas was not even celebrated by the early Catholic Church. The most holy day is Easter. The entire Easter season is one of preparing for the death and resurrection

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Well the Easter thing is up for debate as well. Yes the death and resurrection of Christ is the most imporant thing to CHRISTIANITY, but the "celebration" of Easter itself is steeped in Paganism.

 

[Kendra17]

Well I cannot ask my sons as they are not available at the moment but the fact my sons Catholic schools discussed Seders and Passover, I am sure they as well discussed Rosh Hashana and other Jewish holidays throughout their THEOLOGY CLASSES. That being said exactly how much of the Catholic Faith is discussed in Jewish Religious Education classes.....CAN ANYONE ANSWER THAT QUESTION?

Despite what people of the Jewish Faith may think...it is NOT Christmas that is THE biggest Catholic holiday of the year BUT instead EASTER is OUR BIGGEST HOLIDAY and how much of EASTER is discussed in Jewish Religious Ed Classes.....?

hahah. . good point. But Christianity has nothing to do with Jewish theology. So, you wouldn't expect it to be taught in Sunday School.

That said, Synagogues are always doing extra classes, workshops, etc. that have to do with other faiths and interfaith dialogue, etc.