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What else can I help you with?
What is an agunah?
It's Hebrew for "chained" woman. It's when a man refuses to grant his wife a Jewish divorce (Get). These women can't remarry Jewish, but they can report it to the Jewish Authorities. If the man STILL refuses, he can be expelled from the Jewish Community.
When did Abraham become the first Jewish man?
When he and God made a deal that he would become the father of the Jewish nation, and he circumcised himself to make a covenant.
What is being circumcised mean?
Circumcised means that the man has had his foreskin removed. In Jewish males this normally happens about a week after birth, cicumcision can be carried out at any time though. There are instances where females can be circumcised but I don't know how that works!
How old is a Jewish boy when he is referred to as a man?
13
Can a Jewish uncercusised man marry a Jewish woman?
Yes. Although uncircumcised Jewish men are very rare. Circumcision is a physical sign of the Jewish people's covenant with God, but if a Jewish man isn't circumcised, for whatever reason (medical reasons, it wasn't possible in the country he was born in, his parents didn't want to...whatever), he's still a Jew. Except that he has a foreskin. He can marry a Jewish woman, his children will be Jews, and he has all the responsibilities of any other Jewish man according to some groups withing Judaism. Amongst the more Orthodox Jewish groups, an uncircumcised man is prohibited from participating in many Jewish rituals and holidays, even if there was a legitimate reason for not being circumcised (health/persecution). However, he can still marry a Jewish woman in this circumstance.
What is the time when a Jewish boy turns into a man?
Bar Mitzvah.
If a Jewish man refuses to grant his wife a Jewish divorce can the Jewish authorities get involved?
YES! Very much so. If a woman is not given her "get" she is known as an "agunah" (chained woman) as she is unable to re-marry religiously and the synagogue authority and community does everything in its power to force the man to grant her the Jewish divorce. The man can even be excommunicated and cast out of Judaism. Appeals are often made to the government in the Diasporah, and in Israel a man can face a jail sentence of hefty fines if he refuses to grant the woman her "get".
What if a Jewish male is not circumised?
Jewish males who aren't circumcised are prohibited from participating in many religious holidays and rituals. They are seen as having been cut off from the Nation of Israel. In cases where Jewish men weren't circumcised because of government persecution (former USSR), as soon as they reached a country with religious freedom, they had their circumcision done. Obviously, it's much easier to do this as a baby than a grown man.
What is a Barmitsfar?
A bar mitzvah is when a Jewish boy becomes a man. This happens at the age of 13.
What ceremomy does a jewish boy have to go through to show he is a man?
A Jewish boy doesn't have to go through any ceremony to show he is a man according to the laws of Judaism. On a Jewish boy's 13th birthday he becomes a 'bar mitzvah', meaning that he is considered an adult in the eyes of Jewish law in regard to taking on the religious responsibilities of an adult. To celebrate this event, he will publicly read from the Torah for the first time.
What is wrong if a man is not circumcised?
There is nothing wrong with that.
Why do people have Bar Mitzvah?
Jewish boys have a Bar Mitzvah at 13 years as a rite of passage.
