Indeed, if we are refused those blessings, we are outraged. Of course, we live in this world during the significant moments of life cycle events. While the annual birthday blessings of our children are not important to us, their Bar and Bat Mitzvah is. While anniversary blessings may not mean that much to us from year to year, not to have been married by a rabbi under a chupah is unthinkable. We can live our lives choosing not to expend even the least amount of our energy in the pursuit of things spiritual, yet when we die, a religious funeral is expected.
Some people say, It s just a family thing.
It is a social thing. But if that were truly the case, we really wouldn t need the rituals. If that were the case, then we could hold these big parties for our children s 13 th birthdays without a worship service. We could rent the same halls, hire the same caterers, invite the same guests, and that should suffice for us. A justice of the peace could fulfill the legal requirements.