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I had the honor of attending a bris - a circumcision of a baby boy on the 8th day of his life. In this episode, you will learn about the history of this ancient Jewish tradition and what the ritual entails.

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Bris or Brit Milah - the Jewish covenant of circumcision, performed on a baby boy’s eighth day of life by a trained mohel to welcome him into the covenant of Abraham.

Kvatters - usually a husband-and-wife team, who serve as messengers to bring the baby from the mother’s arms to the side of the room where the circumcision will be performed.

Sandek - the person honored with holding the baby on their lap during the circumcision ceremony, acting as a "godfather" or guardian

mi sheberach - a traditional Jewish prayer for healing, requesting divine blessing, restoration, and strength for those ill or in need of recovery

Siman Tov uMazel Tov - celebratory song

Mohel - a trained Jewish professional who performs the ritual circumcision

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Once in a while you come across a book that not only inspires you but actually changes the way you perceive reality, motivating you to become a better person. This book is it! I cannot recommend it enough to all people looking to grow spiritually. You will cry and you will laugh as you read this biography titled "Holy Woman", and you will never remain the same because the lessons you will learn from this book will undoubtedly aid in your spiritual development.

Join me as I share my three main takeaways from "Holy Woman" - from humility and peace in the home to choosing joy and giving.

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Holy Woman by Sara Yoheved Rigler

Chaya Sara Kramer and Rabbi Yakov Moshe Kramer

Tzaddik - righteous person

Vatranus - giving in for the sake of harmony and peace

Igeres Haramban: This letter was sent by the Ramban from his city to his son in Catalonia, regarding the act humility.

Modern Jewish Girl Podcast

Baal Shem Tov - Jewish mystic and healer regarded as the founder of Hasidic Judaism.

The Three Oaths (Shalosh Shavuot) are a Talmudic concept (Ketubot 111a) based on Song of Songs, interpreting three divine vows: (1) Jews should not return to Israel "as a wall" (en masse or by force), (2) Jews should not rebel against the nations, and (3) nations should not excessively oppress Jews.

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In this episode, I speak to my niece (my cousin's daughter), a journalist and model, who, after having lived in various countries for personal and political reasons finally found her forever home in Israel. The Holy Land welcomed her with open arms and turned her - an atheist - into a believer in G-d and a follower of the Jewish traditions.

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Guest: Maria Volokh

https://www.facebook.com/share/186sBGyn4s/

https://www.instagram.com/mari.vol11?igsh=cnV6ajd0MzMzaWdk

Giyur - the formal process of conversion to Judaism, allowing non-Jews to adopt the Jewish faith, join the Jewish people, and become part of the ethnoreligious community.

The Western Wall - the last remnant of the ancient retaining wall supporting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the holiest site in Judaism, making it a profoundly sacred place for prayer, pilgrimage, and significant life events like bar mitzvahs, symbolizing Jewish continuity, hope, and connection to their destroyed Temples

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