The Importance Of Modesty In The Jewish Culture

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Many communities throughout the United States, contain large populations of religiously observant Jews. The intent of this research is to provide a comprehensive, descriptive guide to specific laws, customs, and practices of traditional, religious observant Jews for the culturally sensitive management of labor, delivery, and postpartum. Discussion includes intimacy issues between husband and wife, modesty issues, labor and birth customs and Sabbath observance, . Doctors and other health care professionals can tailor their practice by integrating their knowledge, and becoming culturally competent in regards to the Jewish culture to help facilitate a specific plan of care. In society today when the word intimacy is interchanged in a sentence, …show more content…

Although the woman of the Jewish cultural are the domineering ones in relation to sex, they still maintain prestige modesty. Tz 'ni 'ut is another term in reference to modesty in the Jewish culture. It means simple, plain, shy, and most important private. During my interview I learned these traits are what Jewish men look for in a companion. Modesty in the Jewish culture plays a role in relation to the way they dress, speak, act and live. Judaism rejects complete nudity in any area of their lives. Jewish faith believes those who recite prayer in the buff , are creating sin. They relate this in correlation with Adam and Eve, who, after committing the first sin realized they were naked and felt ashamed. (Lamn, 2013.) Jewish woman desires modesty in all forms ,especially in relation to their clothing. The typical Orthodox Jewish female wears garments that cover her elbows and knees. A lot of the woman cover their hair with a shawl, scarf or a kippa. With this being said, having a diverse knowledge in many cultures would allow for effective understanding when it came to taking care of a patient with these cultural beliefs. During the first three months of pregnancy, it is best that the couple not telling anyone of the pregnancy, even close family and friends. …show more content…

( Criton, 2014.) Being a labor an delivery nurse(L&D) myself, and modesty being such an important facet within the Jewish Community, it would be safe to say, that cultural competence in Jewish birthing rituals would be a must when laboring a patient of this belief. My goal as a labor nurse, is to skillfully, attentively, and appropriately monitor, observe, and respect my patient and their unborn fetus at all times while under my care. Since the Jewish culture diligently tries to maintain complete modesty as a nurse, I would offer my Jewish labor patients a long sleeve gown and surgical hat to cover their head.

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