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Customs & Traditions
Custom: a particular established way of behaving.
Tradition: a custom, opinion or belief handed down to posterity especially orally or by practice. (The Oxford English Dictionary)
Apart from their special calling, and the biblically ordained feasts and festivals observed by the Jewish People, the customs which have become traditions are what help to make Jews Jews.
Naturally these are to be found in every stage of life, from birth through childhood, young adulthood, marriage, through to death and burial.
The Jewish People received signs and wonders!! The Torah is often understood in terms of signs. The Almighty gave the two tablets to the Children of Israel as a sign of chosenness; they received the sign through the covenant of Brit Milah and they Hear the sign of Oneness, of Shema Israel, as they bind their homes with mezuzzoth and bind themselves with tefillin
For as with all peoples, the Jews observe special traditions for when they rejoice, and certain customs for when they mourn.
We take a closer look at some of these on the following pages:
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