beit din

Description of a Traditional "Get" Ritual

Understanding Jewish Divorce Documents and Process
By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

First, there must be a trained scribe who is knowledgeable about formatting of a get and who will write the document in formal Hebrew calligraphy. S/he will use a heavy wooden, unleaded stylus to inscribe the back side of a heavy sheet of paper or parchment with twelve long straight lines. Then, two half-lines will be impressed as well. There are many additional technical customs, about such things as margins and use of space on a line. The paper is then turned over and the tops of the letters of each word are penned to hang from the almost invisible lines.

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Ritual for Converting to Judaism

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

Planning a conversion ritual for yourself, a friend, congregant or a baby? Welcome to this tent of a loving, hopeful, caring people. Consider the ideas below. If what you really want to do is reflect on concerns about male circumcision a bit more, here is a remarkable experience that shifted my thoughts on the rite.

1. Who will be at the ritual? I recommend a few close friends (1-3), a few family members (if this feels safe and appropriate (1-3 or 4), the bet din (3 rabbis or ordained cantors, or in some cases available committed Jews). A minyan is not required. Too many people dilute the profound spiritual intimacy of the moment...often this ritual is nice in the smallest possible gathering. [Later, on Shabbat,

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What's Involved in Converting to Judaism

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

a. It is a process to which a soul feels internally called.

b. This feeling may rise and fall, or ultimately abate. It may turn out that your soul needed to learn about Judaism, experience it and then return to another tradition or move on to another religion, no religion, or a different denominational context. There will be no hard feelings about this among your teachers, soul journeys vary in every life time.

c. Converstion involves a minimum of a year of study and engagement with the core practices of living as a Jew. During this time you will:

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