Most of the ceremonies celebrating the birth of a daughter that have been popular in IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. and outside of Israel in recent years fit into one of a few basic structures. Some people combine different aspects from different options, choosing the customs and traditions that seem most meaningful to them.
A feminized version of Brit MilahLit. Covenant of circumcision. As a sign of the covenant, God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself and his descendants. An infant boy is circumcised on the eighth day of his life, often at home or in synagogue. A festive meal follows. – Ceremonies that fall into the first category are designed so as to resemble as closely as possible the ceremony of BritLit. Covenant. Judaism is defined by the covenant - the contract between the Jewish people and God. God promises to make us abundant and to give us the land of Israel; we promise to obey God's commandments. This covenant begins with Abraham and is reiterated throughout the Torah. A brit milah, literally a covenant of circumcision, is often simply called a brit or bris. Milah, with the exclusion of the surgical procedure. This ceremony takes place on the eighth day after birth; it includes ‘kvaters’ who will carry the baby on a pillow, as well as a ‘sandak’ or ‘sandakit’ (female sandak) who hold the baby on their knees; a ‘Chair of Elijah’ is used, or a feminine equivalent – ‘Chair of MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance./Devorah’; Most of the verses recited at a Brit will be recited here, with the substitution of the feminine form, and the newborn will be blessed, ‘As she has entered the Brit (covenant), so she shall enter a life of TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general., the marriage canopy, and good deeds.’ In addition, the baby will be named according to the formula that is customary at a Brit Milah.
A ceremony that is composed of content-based units and sources – A second category of birth ceremonies for a daughter is one in which the parents design an original ceremony in honor of their daughter. In general, the ceremony will consist of a welcoming of the new baby, words of praise and gratitude to God over the wonder of birth, the naming (if she wasn’t named previously), recitation of verses, offering of blessings to the baby, the new mother’s recitation of Birkat Hagomel, tree planting, a banquet, as well as speeches and poetry selections that are integrated within the ceremony.
An initiation ceremony that revolves around a central theme – A third class of ceremonies are induction ceremonies that symbolize the baby’s change of status and her inclusion within the covenant. These ceremonies integrate certain components of the other structures, but they revolve primarily around a central theme and generally also include a physical active component.
