For many women with children , one of the most memorable milestones of pregnancy is attending a baby shower as the guest of honor . The solemnization not only " showers " the mother - to - be with well wish and advice , but with gifts for her unborn minor – unless that child is being born into a Jewish family .
Although there is not a law that strictly foreclose gifts to an unborn tyke , traditional Jewish culture warns against babe exhibitor and gift giving before a baby is hold . Orthodox Jews , for model , conceive that lionise a kid before he or she is born will thread evil spirits and lead in speculative luck for the tyke . It ’s a belief that halt from gothic times , when few babe survived [ source : Kuritski ] .
Today , the customs that once made baby showers tabu have become more relaxed in many Jewish lot . Some people compromise by buying and receive a few babe gifts , but waitress todecorate the nursery . Others hold fast to tradition by wait to buy or accept infant gifts until after the kid is born and is officially accepted into the Jewish community at a naming ceremony . Nothing – not a cribbage , diapers or baby blanket – is bring into the home during gestation . Even the baby ’s name is not speak loudly until after he or she is born .
There are other reasons to hold off on the homework , too . Mourning a unsuccessful babe may be more difficult when a fully decorated glasshouse sits empty or when there are stacks of presents that wo n’t be put to good use . And , for some mass of the Jewish religion , hold fast to cultural tradition is an act of faith in itself . It ’s a way to show deference for the past times while being sensitive to those who either ca n’t conceive or who have lost children of their own . It ’s a concept known asmenschlichkeit , which call people to be humane and seemly to others .
However , in an old age when infant mortality rate rates are historically low-toned , some multitude in the Jewish faith find the reluctance to take part in sister showers outdated and superstitious . In cases such as this , there is compromise : Expectant parent purchase baby items online , but schedule them to be shipped after the child ’s arrival date [ source : Katz - Stone ] .
