Definition  Buddhism is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (“the

Buddha”) more than 2,500 years ago in India. With about 470 million
followers, scholars consider Buddhism one of the major world religions.
Its practice has historically been most prominent in East and Southeast
Asia, but its influence is growing in the West.

Religious  The Dalai Lama is the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and traditionally
Leaders has been responsible for the governing of Tibet. The Dalai Lama belongs
to the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is the largest and
most influential tradition in Tibet. The institution of the Dalai Lama is a
relatively recent one. There have been only 14 Dalai Lamas in the history
of Buddhism. The name Dalai Lama, meaning Ocean of Wisdom, was
not conferred until the third reincarnation in the form of Sonam Gyatso
in 1578.
Holy Books
and Artifacts  The Buddhist canon consists of the Sutras: the words and teachings of
the Buddha. There are also a number of non-canonical Buddhist texts
that provide supplementary teachings, rules of conduct and commentary
on transitional states after death. The Tripitaka (Pali Canon), Mahayana
Sutras and the Tibetan Book of the Dead are three major non-canonical
Buddhist texts. The Pali Canon, which means “the word of Buddha,”
includes some of the Buddha’s discourse, but it also incorporates the
teachings of his pupils. Different sects of Buddhism follow canonical and
non-canonical scriptures to varying degrees.

Holy day of  It is not a sacred day of the week. It is better to call a cycle of the moon.
the week Buddhist calendar and most of South Asia and South East Asia
calendars are lunar based. The moon circles the earth every 28 days
and each quarter of the cycle, there is Observant Day - Uposatha day.

Holy  Chinese New Year

holidays,  Songkran Festival
festivals,  Wesak
and  Obon
observances  Confucius's Birthday Pavarana
 Kathina.
 BodhiDay
 Nirvana Day
 Losar
 Wasana
 Dhamma Day
 Bodhi Day
 Wassana

Dietary  Buddhists believe that eating meat causes another type of suffering: bad
Restrictions karma. Killing a sentient being forces it to begin a painful process of
rebirth. Since Buddhists believe it is possible for animals to attain
enlightenment, killing them deprives them of that chance.
 Consuming any type of intoxicants will reflect negatively on a Buddhist’s
life and afterlife

Periods of  The Buddha advised monks not to take solid food after noon. Lay people
fasting who observe the eight precepts on full moon days also abstain from
taking any solid food after noon. In Buddhism, fasting is an initial stage
of self-discipline to acquire self-control. In every religion, there is a
system of fasting. By fasting and sacrificing a meal once a day or for any
period, we can contribute our food to those who are starving or who do
not have even a proper meal each day.
Medical  The Medicine Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru, Yakushi Nyora, or the Buddha of
Treatment Healing is described in Mahayana Buddhist texts and usually
represented seated with his right hand raised in vadra mudra (the hand
and finger gesture symbolizing giving and compassion), and the left
hand rested on his lap, holding a jar of medicine. In illustrations, he is
shown surrounded by various healing plants and innumerable sages,
depicted as the Paradise of the Medicine Buddha that represents an
idealized universe where remedies exist for every ailment, something
that modern medical research is ever striving to attain.
The Medicine Buddha is described as a healer who cures suffering and
disease, both physical and mental. The Sutra of the Medicine Buddha is
a common sutra to recite in Eastern Buddhist temples and monasteries.
He is believed to have revealed the teachings which constitute the Four
Medical Tantras of Buddhist medical literature. The Four Medical
Tantras have elaborated on the cause, nature and signs of various
ailments, the methods of healing and medicines, and precise
explanations on medical ethics, delineating the qualities of a physician.

Birth control  Buddhist attitudes to contraception are based on the idea that it is wrong
to kill for any reason. The most common Buddhist view on birth control
is that contraception is acceptable if it prevents conception, but that
contraceptives that work by stopping the development of a fertilized egg
are wrong and should not be used. Buddhists believe that life begins
when the egg is fertilized. That is why some birth control methods, such
as the IUD, which act by killing the fertilized egg and preventing
implantation are unacceptable since they harm the consciousness which
has already become embodied.

Infertility  AIH is one form of fertility treatment that many Buddhists find they can
treatment support. This is because it does not break any codes of behavior, and
appears to benefit the individuals involved.

Abortion  Buddhism does consider abortion to be the taking of a human life. At the
same time, Buddhists generally are reluctant to intervene in a woman's
personal decision to terminate a pregnancy. Buddhism may discourage
abortion, but it also discourages imposing rigid moral absolutes.

Observation  In Thailand, tie sacred threads around the baby's wrists to greet the spirit
at birth 'Khwan' who looks after babies. When the baby is a month old, a monk
may shave the baby's hair.
 In Tibet when a baby is born the parents put flags on the roof of their
house, and after a few days’ friends and relatives gather at the house
bringing gifts of food and clothes. A monk will visit and a naming
ceremony will take place after about a ten days. The baby does not leave
the home for the first month, when it may be taken to the
local monastery.
 In Japan, a few days after birth the baby's room is purified. As in Tibet
there is a naming ceremony at home about one week after the birth, and
on the child's first visit to the temple the parents are presented with a
scroll for recording the child's life events.
Rites of
 To become a Bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) however there is a long process
initiation
of disciplinary training and education ceremony involving
the novice (the name given to a person seeking to become a monk),
the abbot (head of the monastery) and the Sangha (the community of
monks). Before initiation the naag must shave off all hair on the head
and answer questions from the elder monks. If the answers are
satisfactory, and none of the monks’ object, the naag is admitted to the
Sangha and his religious training begins.

Withdrawal
 Buddhist traditions unanimously condemn suicide and premature ending
of life
of life, but allow it in exceptional circumstances in which a person ends
support
his or her life in order to help others, as manifested in past-life stories of
the Buddha himself.
Death  Buddhists generally favor cremation, but embalming is allowed as well.
Families choose according to their personal preference. There are no
rules governing when the burial or cremation takes place.

Organ  There are no rules in Buddhism for or against organ donation, but
Donation central to Buddhism is a wish to relieve suffering. The needs and wishes
of a potential donor should not be compromised by the wish to save a
life. The death process of an individual is viewed as very important, and
a body should be treated with respect.
DEFINTION  Hinduism, major world religion originating on the Indian
subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems
of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Although the name Hinduism is
relatively new, having been coined by British writers in the first
decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition
of texts and practices, some of which date to the 2nd
millennium BCE or possibly earlier. Hinduism is the oldest living
religion on Earth. From about the 4th century CE, Hinduism had a
dominant presence in Southeast Asia, one that would last for more
than 1,000 years.
RELIGIOUS  Brahmins are the highest ranking of the four social classes
LEADERS articulated in the Vedic Purusha Shukta. The Brahmins are created
out of the being's mouth. They were designated as the exclusive
priests in the Hindu world, assigned the duty of learning and
preserving the sacred texts—orally passing them on from one
generation to the next—and performing the sacred rituals.

HOLY BOOKS  The Vedas, or “Books of Knowledge,” are the foremost sacred texts
AND in Hinduism. These books, written from around 1200 BCE to 100
ARTIFACTS CE, began with four vedas, or mantras: Rig Veda, Sama Veda,
Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. These expanded over time to include
Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads.

HOLY DAY OF Each day of a week is dedicated to a particular god in the Hindu pantheon.
THE WEEK Apart from the special Vratas and Upvaas, many Hindus also fast on a
particular day in a week. Each day in a week has a specialty and there are
numerous folklores associated with the fasting observed on the days of a
week. Sunday is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God).

HOLY  Diwali
HOLIDAYS,  Dussera
FESTIVALS,  Ganesha Chaturthi
AND  Krishna Janmashtami
OBSERVANCES  Maha Shivratri
 Navratri
 Raksha Bandhan

DIETARY  Hinduism encourages being vegetarian and avoiding the eating of

RESTRICTIONS any animal meat or flesh. However, not all Hindus choose to practice
vegetarianism, and they may adhere to the religion’s dietary codes
in varying degrees of strictness. For example, some Hindus refrain
from eating beef and pork, which are strictly prohibited in the Hindu
diet code, but do eat other meats.

 Hindus practice the tradition of fasting during special occasions,

PERIODS OF such as holy days, new moon days and festivals. As is also the case
FASTING in a number of other religions, fasting is seen as a way of staying
close to God and attaining a close mental proximity to Him. Hindus
fast in various ways, depending on the individual: They may choose
to not eat at all during the fasting period, or to eat only once, eat
only fruits or restrict themselves to a special diet of simple foods.

 Most Hindus have respect for the medical profession, but can be
MEDICAL
wary of medicines. They need to have detailed explanations of why
TREATMENT
certain medicines are prescribed in order to be compliant with
treatment. Many Hindus may not take insulin that is made from
animals and a detailed explanation of the contents needs to be given
if the patient is to comply with the management plan. Patients will
often admit to taking natural, homoeopathic medicine. This
information must be specifically elicited when taking a history.
BIRTH  There is no ban on birth control in Hinduism. Some Hindu scriptures
CONTROL include advice on what a couple should do to promote conception -
thus providing contraceptive advice to those who want it.

INFERTILITY  For most Hindus place a great importance on family life and so if
TREATMENT they find themselves infertile they might agree with the use of AIH
and IVF to help them to give birth. Some Hindus argue that adoption
from a relative would be a more appropriate alternative to AIH and
IVF, as the adopted child's family background would still be known.
They may argue that adopting any child is better than AIH or IVF,
because they may involve the destruction of unused embryos and
therefore go against ahimsa.

ABORTION
 When considering abortion, the Hindu way is to choose the action
that will do least harm to all involved: the mother and father, the
fetus and society. Hinduism is therefore generally opposed to
abortion except where it is necessary to save the mother's life.
Traditional Hinduism and many modern Hindus also see abortion as
a breach of the duty to produce children in order to continue the
family and produce new members of society.

OBSERVANCE
AT BIRTH  During the third month of pregnancy the ceremony of Punsavana
(fetus protection) is performed. This is done for the strong physical
growth of the fetus.
 The Simantonnyana is performed during the seventh month. This is
the equivalent of a baby shower and means 'satisfying the craving
of the pregnant mother'.
 Once the child enters the world, Jatakarma is performed to welcome
the child into the family, by putting some honey in the child's mouth
and whispering the name of God in the child's ear.
 Other rituals include a naming ceremony (Namakarna), the
Nishkarmana (the child's first trip out) and the Annaprasana, (the
child's first taste of solid food).

RITES OF  Diksha, (Sanskrit: “initiation”) in ancient India, the rite performed

INITIATION prior to the Vedic sacrifice in order to consecrate its patron, or
sacrificer; in later and modern Hinduism, the initiation of a layperson
by the guru (spiritual guide) of a religious group.
 In the soma sacrifices of the Vedic period, the patron of the
sacrifice, after bathing, kept a daylong (in some cases up to a
yearlong) silent vigil inside a special hut in front of a fire. The patron
was dressed in garments of black antelope skin, which he also sat
on, and at nightfall drank only cooked milk. The resulting tapas (an
internal heat, both literal and figurative, generated by all
Indian ascetic practices) was considered to be a sign—and a
means—of passing from the realm of the profane to that of
the sacred.
 At the end of the soma ritual, the sacrificer went through a reverse
ceremony, the avabhritha (concluding bath). After the bath, the
sacred garments, ritual utensils, and pressed shoots of the soma
plant were all cast into the water.

 Classical Hindu literature distinguishes between suicide, voluntary

WITHDRAWAL heroic death, and voluntary religious death. Voluntary religious
OF LIFE death was practiced by the incurably ill, or by those unable to
SUPPORT perform the mandatory rites of bodily purification because of age or
incapacity. This was also considered a legitimate exception from the
general rules of dharma (social order) and ahimsa (non-violence),
and was considered a religious act by Hindu jurists. Community
leaders (Brahmins) decided whether any case of self-willed death
was legitimate.
DEATH According to Hindu funeral customs, the body remains at the home until it
is cremated, which is usually within 24 hours after death. The ashes are
typically scattered at a sacred body of water or at some other place of
importance to the deceased. At the service, referred to as a wake, mourners
may dress casually.

ORGAN No religious law prohibits Hindus from donating their organs and tissues.
DONATION Life after death is a strong belief of Hindus and is an ongoing process of
rebirth. This could be seen as reflecting positively on the concept of organ
donation and transplantation.
DEFINITION  Islam, major world religion promulgated by the
Prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the 7th century CE. The Arabic
term literally “surrender,” illuminates the fundamental religious idea
of Islam—that the believer (called a Muslim) accepts surrender to
the will of Allah. Allah is viewed as the sole God.
RELIGIOUS  Imam, (leader or model), in a general sense, one who leads Muslim
LEADERS worshippers in prayer. In a global sense, imam is used to refer to
the head of the Muslim community (ummah).

 The Quran is the holy book of the Islamic world. Quran is said to
consist of Allah's revelations to the prophet Muhammad, transmitted
through the angel Gabriel. Those revelations were written down by
scribes as Muhammad pronounced them during his ministry, and
HOLY BOOKS his followers continued to recite them after his death.
AND
ARTIFACTS

HOLY DAY OF  Friday is a very important day for Muslims. It is more significant and
THE WEEK more beneficial than any other day of the week. It is the day that
Muslims gather together to pray in congregation. Directly before the
prayer they listen to a lecture designed to empower them with
valuable knowledge about God, and the religion of Islam. It is a
blessed day that has been designated as such by God, Almighty; no
other day of the week shares its virtues.

HOLY  Al-Hijra
HOLIDAYS,  Eid ul-Adha
FESTIVALS,  Eid ul-Fitr
AND  Prophet's Birthday
OBSERVANCES  Ramadan

DIETARY  Dead meat Blood.

RESTRICTIONS  The flesh of swine (pork).
 Intoxicating drinks.
 The meat of an animal that has been sacrificed to idols.
 The meat of an animal that died from electrocution,
strangulation or blunt force.
 Meat from which wild animals have already eaten.

 Sawm is fasting. It's the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims
PERIODS OF are required to fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic
FASTING calendar. During the 29/30 days of Ramadan all adult Muslims must
give up the following things during the hours of daylight:

1. Food or drink of any sort

2. Smoking, including passive smoking

3. Sexual activity

 Muslims who are physically or mentally unwell may be excused

some of these, as may those who are under twelve years old, the
very old, those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, menstruating, or
travelling.

MEDICAL  Black Seed- is said to help with digestion, and it also contains
TREATMENT antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic
properties. Muslims often consume black seed to help with
respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and to boost the immune
system.
  Honey- in modern times, it has been discovered that honey has
antibacterial properties as well as other health benefits. Honey is
composed of water, simple and complex sugars, minerals,
enzymes, amino acids, and several different vitamins known to be
conducive to good health.
 Olive Oil- contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty
acids, as well as Vitamin E. It is consumed to promote coronary
health and is used on the skin to increase softness and elasticity.
 Dates- are a traditional and popular food for breaking the daily
Ramadan fast. Eating dates after fasting helps to maintain blood
sugar levels and is an excellent source of dietary fiber, potassium,
magnesium, and complex sugars.
 Zamzam Water- it is known to contain large amounts of calcium,
fluoride, and magnesium, necessary nutrients for good health.

BIRTH  Some Muslims have interpreted that it is a prohibition against

CONTROL contraception as well, but this is not a widely accepted view. Some
early forms of birth control were practiced during the lifetime of the
prophet Muhammad, and he did not object to their appropriate
use—such as to benefit the family or the mother’s health or to delay
pregnancy for a certain period of time. No method of birth control is
100 percent effective and Allah is the Creator, and if Allah wants a
couple to have a child, Muslims should accept it as his will.

INFERTILITY  Seeking a cure for infertility is not only permissible, but also
TREATMENT encouraged in Islam. In Islamic law, all assisted reproductive
technologies (ARTs) are allowed, provided that the source of the
sperm, ovum, and uterus comes from a legally married couple
during the span of their marriage. No third party should intrude upon
the marital functions of sex and procreation. Surrogacy is not
accepted in Islam. An excess number of fertilized embryos can be
preserved by cryopreservation and may be transferred to the same
wife in a successive cycle, while the marriage is intact. Using frozen
sperm after the death of the husband is not permitted.

 Abortion is frowned upon during the early weeks, and it is

ABORTION considered a sin if done without just cause, but most Islamic jurists
permit it. Most early Muslim scholars found abortion to be
permissible if done within the first 90–120 days after conception, but
abortion is universally condemned thereafter unless to save the
mother's life.

OBSERVANCE  The Muslim call to prayer or adhaan (God is great, there is no God
AT BIRTH but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer.")
are the first words a newborn Muslim baby should hear. They are
whispered into the right ear of the child by his or her father.
 The baby's first taste should be something sweet, so parents may
chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the baby's gums. It was
a practice carried out by the Prophet Muhammad and is believed to
help tiny digestive systems to kick in.
 After seven days the baby's head is shaved (a tradition also carried
out by Hindus). This is to show that the child is the servant of Allah.
Although Hindus may take the baby's hair to India and scatter it in
the holy river Ganges, Muslims weigh it and give the equivalent
weight in silver to charity.

RITES OF  Male circumcision is the most widely observed rite of passage

INITIATION throughout the Muslim world. Circumcision usually occurs between
the ages of three and fifteen years, depending on regional custom,
and may follow some achievement, such as a boy's
first Quran recitation from memory. Circumcision signals the boy's
entrance into full participation in Islamic ritual world and into the
gendered world of men.
WITHDRAWAL  Islamic law permits the withdrawal of futile treatment, including all
OF LIFE kinds of life support, from terminally ill patients leaving death to take
SUPPORT its natural course. However, such decision should only take place
when the physicians are confident that death is inevitable.

DEATH  According to Islamic law (“shariah”), the body should be buried as

soon as possible from the time of death, which means that funeral
planning and preparations begin immediately.

 A local Islamic community organization should be contacted as soon

as possible, and they will begin to help make arrangements for the
funeral service and burial, assist the family in identifying an
appropriate funeral home, and coordinate with the funeral home.

 Organ donation is generally acceptable for Muslims, as it follows the

ORGAN
Qur’an’s teaching that "Whosoever saves the life of one person it
DONATION
would be as if he saved the life of all mankind." If there is any
question as to whether or not organs may be donated, it is best to
consult with an imam (religious leader) or Muslim funeral director.
 DEFINITION  Christianity is the world's biggest religion, with about 2.1 billion
followers worldwide. It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who
lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago.

RELIGIOUS  Pope- is the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

LEADERS  Pastor- head of Protestant Churches

 Christian scriptures are gathered in the Bible. The word bible comes
HOLY BOOKS
from the medieval Latin biblia, which means books. The list of books
AND ARTIFACTS collected in the Bible is called the canon, a Greek word that means rule
or norm. The canon contains only those books considered
authoritative, and therefore read regularly, studied, and used in
religious services.

 For most observant Christians, Sunday is observed as a day of worship

HOLY DAY OF
and rest, holding it as the Lord's Day and the day of Christ's
THE WEEK
resurrection.

HOLY  ADVENT SEASON

HOLIDAYS,  CHRISTMAS
FESTIVALS,  LENT
AND  EASTER SUNDAY
OBSERVATIONS  ASCENSION THURSDAY
 PENTECOST SUNDAY

 Those that chew cud or have a split hoof but not both (like camels,
DIETARY rabbits, pigs)
RESTRICTION
 Sea creatures that do not have fins and scales (like crustaceans)

 Birds that eat flesh or carrion (like crows, raptors, sea gulls)

 Most winged insects except those that swarm and jump

 Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy,

PERIODS OF has observed a 40-day fast period during Lent, a spring period of
penitence before Easter, and during Advent, a penitential period before
FASTING Christmas.
FASTING

 The Bible takes a very high view of the physical especially our physical
MEDICAL bodies. We were created in the "image of God." Not only did God create
us with physical bodies, He personally incarnated into a physical body,
TREATMENT healed physical bodies, was resurrected with a physical body and gave
the gifts of healing physical bodies to His disciples and to His church.
Health requires that the multiple factors be integrated and in balance.
Human brokenness, a consequence of broken fellowship with God,
sheds the "image of the Divine." Healing requires healing of the
physical, mental, emotional, social and religious facets as well as
healing of the spiritual; it requires restoration of the "image of God."
Healing occurs only in community, without community healing is
incomplete. God gifted His Church with many gifts, including the gifts
of healing. He appointed His Church to be Communities of Healing
ministering physical, emotional, social, religious and spiritual healing.
BIRTH  Catholics are only permitted to use natural methods of birth control. But
CONTROL the Church does not condemn things like the pill or condoms in
themselves. What is morally wrong is using such things with the
intention of preventing conception.
INFERTILITY
The pro’s and con’s
TREATMENT  AIH is one form of fertility treatment that many Christians find they can
support, particularly when the couple are married.
 Fertility treatment is unnatural. Children should be born as part of the
intimate relationship between a man and a woman. They may say it is
God's will if a couple does not have children.

ABORTION
 As the CRC believes that all human beings are image bearers of God,
it affirms the unique value of all human life. The church condemns the
wanton or arbitrary destruction of any human being at any stage of its
development from the point of conception to the point of death. The
church affirms that an induced abortion is an allowable option only
when the life of the mother-to-be is genuinely threatened by the
continuation of the pregnancy.

OBSERVANCE  Circumcision
AT BIRTH  Baptism
 Ear piercing
 Godparents

 RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the way by which people

RITES OF
become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. Full membership
INITIATION requires a total formation that culminates in the sacraments of initiation:
baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. RCIA is a faith journey in which
a person is introduced to the community, beliefs, liturgy, and apostolic
work of the Catholic Church.

 Catholics recognize that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent

WITHDRAWAL human person is always gravely wrong. Where life-saving or life-
OF LIFE sustaining treatment is withdrawn or withheld with the intention of
SUPPORT ending a person’s life, this is an unethical action or omission
irrespective of any good motive, and so is regarded as morally
equivalent to euthanasia or suicide.

DEATH  The funeral is typically held about one week after the time of death.
There may also be a wake or viewing, depending on the family’s
preferences.
 Christian burial traditions allow for embalming, so attendees of the
viewing before the funeral may have an opportunity to say goodbye to
the deceased, if the viewing is open-casket.
 If cremation has been chosen, there may be a cremation urn, which is
a special container for the loved one’s ashes, in place of or in addition
to the casket.

 Sacrifice and helping others are key themes across all forms of
ORGAN Christianity, and therefore a decision to donate organs is seen as a
DONATION positive thing. Christians should be encouraged to help others in need.
They look upon organ donation as an act of love, and a way of following
Jesus' example.
 All mainstream Protestant denominations support organ donation,
whether they see it as an individual choice motivated by compassion,
or encourage it as an act of charity.
DEFINITION  A monotheistic religion developed among the ancient
Hebrews. Judaism is characterized by a belief in one transcendent
God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew
prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and
rabbinic traditions.

 Rabbis- the spiritual leaders of Judaism are expected to be taught

RELIGIOUS in both the Talmud and the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law)
LEADERS as well as many other classical texts of Jewish scholarship.

The Hebrew Scriptures, referred to by Christians as the Old Testament,

HOLY BOOKS are called the TANAKH, which is the Hebrew acronym for the three
AND different parts:
ARTIFACTS  The Torah which is the first five books of the
Old Testament or the Pentateuch;
 The Nevi'im which are the books of the
prophets; and
 Ketuvim which are the remaining writings.

HOLY DAY OF Jewish Shabbat is a weekly day of rest, observed from sundown on Friday
THE WEEK until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. It is also
observed by a minority of Christians, such as adherents of Messianic
Judaism and Seventh-day Adventists.
HOLY
HOLIDAYS,  Shabbat
FESTIVALS,  Rosh Hashanah
OBSERVANCES  Yom Kippur
 Sukkot
 Shemini Atzeret
 Simchat Torah
 Hanukkah
 Tu B’Shevat
 Purim
 Passover
 Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day)
 Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day)
 Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day)
 Lag B’Omer
 Shavuot
 Tisha B’Av
 Tu B’Av

DIETARY Some of the main kosher dietary guidelines ban certain food pairings —
particularly that of meat and dairy.
RESTRICTIONS There are three main kosher food categories:
 Meat (fleishig): Mammals or fowl, as well as products derived from
them, including bones or broth.
 Dairy (milchig): Milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt.
 Pareve: Any food that is not meat or dairy, including fish, eggs, and
plant-based foods.
According to kosher tradition, any food categorized as meat may never be
served or eaten at the same meal as a dairy product.

PERIODS OF  Ordinary fast days lasted for the duration of the daylight hours; the
important fasts were a full 24 hours. Fasts were held either for one
FASTING day or sometimes for a series of three or seven days; occasionally
even daily for a continued period.
MEDICAL  Everything possible must be done for every patient in terms of
preserving life, treating illness, and relieving suffering. All
TREATMENT therapeutic decisions must be in the patient's best interests. The
safest, gentlest treatment for a given condition must always be the
preferred one. To ensure optimal care, physicians must constantly
strive to maintain and improve their knowledge and abilities through
continuous study.
 Prevention is the highest form of healing. Drugs and surgery have
their place in the holy art of healing, but the need to resort to invasive
treatment must also be regarded as a failure in prevention.
BIRTH
CONTROL  Contraception, including artificial contraception, is permitted in
Judaism in appropriate circumstances.
 Reform and Liberal schools of Judaism allow birth control for a wide
range of reason. Orthodox Judaism is more restrictive.
 The methods of contraception allowed under Jewish law are those
that do not damage the sperm or stop it getting to its intended
destination. These are the contraceptive pill and the IUD.

 In orthodox Judaism, artificial insemination with the husband’s

INFERTILITY sperm is permissible if the wife cannot become pregnant in any
TREATMENT other way. Regarding the use of donor sperm however, opinion is
much more divided and it is generally frowned upon.
 Artificial insemination by a donor is not thought of as adultery as no
sexual relations are involved but is, nevertheless, unacceptable by
the vast majority of rabbinical authorities.
 The Conservative movement in Judaism, mainly based in the USA,
have a slightly more liberal view on AID. They allow donor
insemination while stipulating that the use of anonymous donors is
strongly discouraged. Most Conservative rabbis prefer that non-
Jewish donor sperm be used to prevent ‘adultery’ between a Jewish
man and a Jewish woman and to prevent future genetic incest
among the offspring of anonymous donors.

ABORTION  Jewish law does not share the belief common among abortion
opponents that life begins at conception, nor does it legally consider
the fetus to be a full person deserving of protections equal those
accorded to human beings. In Jewish law, a fetus attains the status
of a full person only at birth.

 The Brit Milah (circumcision ceremony) is an important initiation rite

for young Jewish boys.
OBSERVANCE  Jews traditionally did not hold baby showers before the baby was
AT BIRTH born. In fact, traditionally Jewish parents did not even purchase
things for the baby or discuss baby names until the baby was born.
The usual reason given for this custom is pure superstition: drawing
attention to the baby also draws bad luck to the baby.

RITES OF  The Brit Milah (circumcision ceremony) is an important initiation rite

INITIATION for young Jewish boys. Circumcision is a religious obligation on
Jews recalling the covenant that God made with Abraham.
Ordinarily circumcision ceremonies take place when the child is
eight days old but it can be delayed for medical reasons.

WITHDRAWAL  Many Jewish legal experts believe it is permissible to withhold

OF LIFE advanced life-support measures from terminally ill patients.
SUPPORT However, once such measures have been provided, withdrawing
them to let natural death occur becomes more problematic.

 While there are grounds in Jewish law for withholding advanced life-
support measures from terminally ill patients, once such measures
have been provided, withdrawing them to let natural death occur
becomes more problematic.
  As a general rule, withdrawing life support is not permitted in
traditional readings of Jewish law.

DEATH The Jewish funeral consists of a burial, also known as an interment.

Cremation is forbidden. Burial is considered to allow the body to decompose
naturally, therefore embalming is forbidden. Burial is intended to take place
in as short an interval of time after death as possible.

Donation of an organ from a living person to save another's life, where

ORGAN
the donor's health will not appreciably suffer, is permitted and encouraged
DONATION in Jewish law. Donation of an organ from a dead person is equally
permitted for the same purpose: to save a life.