300 Questions Flashcards
What is the Brit Milah? What are its origins and symbolism?
Brit Milah is Circumcision. It’s origins are when G-d commanded Abraham to circumcise himself and his male household members in Genesis. It is a physical representation of G-d’s covenant with the Jewish people.
Who must fulfill the commandment of Brit Milah?
All Jewish males
Who performs the commandment of brit milah?
The father or if he hands off his duty to a mohel
When do we do the Brit Milah? At what time of the day?
On the eighth day any time between sunrise and sunset
What do we do when the Brit Milah falls on Shabbat? And on Yom Kippur?
You do it anyway
What are the reasons to postpone a Brit Milah?
C section on a Friday or they were born Friday evening at twilight when it’s not clear if they were born on Shabbat
What are the blessings that we recite during a Brit Milah? Who says them?
(Mohel) Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning circumcision. (Father) Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to enter him into the Covenant of Abraham our father.
Do we need to have a minyan for a Brit Milah?
No
Why we leave a chair for the Prophet Elijah during Brit Milah
As a witness that they are following the covenant of circumcision.
What is Hatafat Dam Brit? When do we perform it?
It is where someone is ceremonially circumcised after a physical circumcision has occurred. It is for converts and babies not circumcised under a Rabbi
What is a Simchat Bat?
It is a ceremony celebrating the birth of a baby girl. The girl is named and blessings are recited.
What is Pidion haBen? What are its origins?
It is a ceremony where the firstborn male child is redeemed for five silver coins. It’s origins are in Exodus 13:2 where all the firstborns belong to the L-rd because the L-rd spared them during the Exodus. The ritual honors the Levites who were chosen as a substitute. Performed at one month old.
Which child needs to be redeemed?
The firstborn Male
When is a boy considered to be an adult? And a girl?
A boy is considered an adult at 13 after a Bar Mitzvah. A girl is considered an adult at 12 after her Bat Mitzvah
What is the meaning of the concept Bar/Bat Mitzvah? What are the implications?
The meaning is Son/Daughter of the commandment and it implies that the person is able to make his or her own decisions to obey God and are responsible for his or her actions before God.
How is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrated?
They traditionally wear tefillin, wear a tallit, read a Torah portion, and lead a portion of a service.
What is a Chuppah? What does it symbolize?
A Chuppah is a wedding canopy. It reminds us that G-d’s presence covers the household that was created. It also symbolizes the bride entering into the husband’s household.
What do we mean by Kidushin?
The first stage of marriage—Betrothal. This stage is distinct, but today done under the chuppah as well. At this stage the couple is married by ketubah and can only be separated by a get. No physical union is allowed until nisuin.
What do we mean by Nisuin?
The second stage of marriage. It is where the marriage is finalized under the Chuppah and the seven blessings are recited over the cup of wine.
What are the seven blessings of marriage?
The seven blessings are seven marriage themed blessings recited during the Nisuin portion of a wedding.
Baruch atah “
…who creates the fruit of the vine
…who created everything for his glory
…who created humanity
…who created humanity in His image, in the image of the likeness of his form, and made for them an everlasting establishment. Blessed are you, Lord, who created humanity
May the barren one (Jerusalem) rejoice greatly and delight in the ingathering of her children within her in joy. Blessed are you Lord who causes Zion to rejoice with her children.
The loving partners shall rejoice as You caused your creatures to delight in the Garden of Eden of old. Blessed are you Lord who causes the groom and bride to rejoice
Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who creates happiness and joy, groom and bride. Exultation, delight, amusement, and pleasure, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. Soon, Lord our God, may the sound of happiness and the sound of joy and the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride be heard in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem — the rejoicing of groom from their huppahs and youths from their singing banquets. Blessed are you Lord who makes the groom rejoice with the bride.
What is the Ketubah?
A marriage contract.
Why do we break a glass at the end of the wedding ceremony?
It is a reminder of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple during the celebration.
Is a marriage between a Jew and a non-Jew halakhikly valid? Why?
No, because Torah forbids marrying a non-Jew.
Is a marriage between a mother and a son halakhikly valid? Why?
No, because Torah forbids this kind of union.
What is Kibud haMet?
Honoring the dead. Restrictions and regulations on how to handle a death.
What is Nichum Avelim?
It is comforting the bereved.
Why are the principles of Kibud HaMet and Nichum Avelim important?
These two principles are important because there is not only a responsibility to comfort mourners, but there is still a responsibility to the dead.
What are the tachrichim? Why do we use them? What do we do with the Tallit after someone has died?
They are burial shrouds. They are used so that the person is prepared to stand before God in judgement. They are also used so that the poor aren’t embarrassed that they can’t afford fancy clothes. A person is buried with their Tallit.
Does Judaism allow for embalming? And for cremation? Why?
No, because this is a desecration of G-d’s image.
When does Judaism allow autopsies?
Generally, no, unless it helps save someone else’s life (ie, catching a murderer).
Can we bury someone on Shabbat?
No.
What is the Chevra Kadisha?
A group that prepares the body for burial.
What is the Keria? Why do we do it? Who has to do it?
It is the rending of garments. It is a symbol of the broken heart behind the tear and a release of anger and sorrow. Seven relatives: Son, Daughter, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, and Spouse.
What is the blessing we say over the Keria?
Blessed are You…universe, the true Judge. (Dayan HaEmet)
What is the Shiva? When does it start?
Shiva is the mourning period. It starts once the loved one has been buried.
Name some of the customs related to the Shiva.
Keriah, Sitting on a low stool, abstaining from cutting hair, lighting a candle.
What happens on the Shabbat that falls during the Shiva?
Shiva is not observed.
What happens to the Shiva if a biblical festival begins in the middle of it?
It is shortened.
What happens if a biblical festival begins right before the Shiva?
Mourning begins the night following the holiday.
What are the Shloshim? What are the basic rules during Shloshim?
Shloshim are the 30 days following the burial. Don’t wear new clothes, Don’t engage in pleasurable activities, Don’t cut your hair, Don’t take luxurious baths or showers, Don’t listen to music.
What happens to the Shloshim if a biblical festival begins in the middle of it?
It annuls the rest of the days.
How many months do we mourn for a father/mother?
12, Until the first yahrtzeit (anniversary on the Hebrew calendar). During which time, you stand for mourners kaddish. On Yahrtzeit, it is tradition to light a yahrtzeit candle, remember the loved one, and abstain from luxurious meals.
What is the meaning of the word “Israel”? What are the origins of that word?
Israel means “To struggle with God.” The origins are when Jacob wrestled with an angel in Genesis 32:28.
What is Zionism? What was known in the ancient world as Zion?
Zionism is the support of the State of Israel as a Jewish state. Zion was Jerusalem.
Who founded political Zionism? What do you know about him?
Theodor Herzl. He was Austro-Hungarian Jew born in 1860 who pushed for the establishment of a Jewish state.
When and where political Zionisim was formally founded?
It was founded during the first Zionist congress in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland.
Which types of Zionism can you name?
Religious, Political
What was the “Dreyfus Affair” and what’s its relation with the origins of Zionism?
It was the false accusation of a Jewish military officer in France. After realizing he was innocent, they pardoned the real perpetrator and pressed more charges. This helped convince Herzl that the Jews were not truly safe anywhere and that they needed a homeland.
What was the “Uganda plan” and how was received by the Zionist movement?
It was a proposal to found a Jewish state in British East Africa. It was met with support and much dissent. The latter unwilling to settle for any area except historic Israel.
What was the “Balfour Declaration”? Why is it important?
It was a letter of support by the British government for the establishment of a home nation for the Jews in historic Israel. It set the foundation for the later establishment of the state of Israel.
What was the British “White Paper” of 1939?
The white papers interpreted the Balfour declaration and limited Jewish immigration to Israel. The 1939 one stated that Israel was not a Jewish or Arab country and limited Jewish immigration.
What did the UN Partition Plan propose?
It proposed a small, broken up, indefensible, and mostly desert area in Israel be given to the Jews as their state.
When was the UN Partition plan approved?
November 29, 1947
What was the Jewish reaction to the UN Partition Plan? And the Arab reaction? Why?
The Jews reluctantly accepted it. The Arabs rejected it because they would not tolerate a Jewish state under any circumstances.
When and where was the State of Israel declared an independent State?
May 14, 1948 in Tel Aviv.
What happened to Jerusalem after Israel’s Independence? What about Judea and Samaria?
Jerusalem was half controlled by Israel and half by Jordan. Judea and Samaria was controlled by Jordan.
Who was Israel’s first Prime Minister? And first President?
PM David Ben Gurion and P Chaim Weizmann.
What’s the name of Israel’s National Anthem?
HaTikvah
What’s the name of the Parliament? How many members does it contain? Why?
The Kinesset, 120, because there were 120 members of the ancient Kinesset.
What does Israel’s flag look like? Why?
A Tallit. Because the Tallit is a symbol of God’s sovereignty.
What is Israel’s national emblem/symbol? Why?
A menorah. This was historically a symbol associated with the ancient Jewish Kingdom.
What do we mean by “Independence War”?
The morning following the Declaration of Independence an overwhelming force of Arab nations attacked Israel.
What do we mean by the “Sinai War”?
It was a war where Israel, Britain, and France tried to take the Suez canal.
What were the consequences of the Six Day War?
Massive territorial gains for Israel including Sinai peninsula, Judea/Samaria, and the Golan.
What happened during the “Yom Kippur War”?
An Arab coalition attacked Israel and was beaten.
What big change occurred in Israel’s political life in 1977?
Arab states started recognizing Israel as a nation during peace talks which lead to Israel giving up the Sinai Peninsula.
Who signed the peace treaty with Egypt? When?
Menachem Begin, Anwar Sadat, and Jimmy Carter. 1979.
What prize did they receive after signing the peace treaty? What happened to the Egyptian president?
They received a Nobel Peace Prize. Sadat was assassinated.
What do we mean by “first Intifada”? What were its consequences?
It was an Arab riot. Israel lost political image and the Palestinians gained attention and sympathy leading to the Oslo Accords.
What do we mean by “Oslo accords”? What were their consequences?
It is a series of peace talks between Israel and the PLO. It recognized the PLO as a sovereign entity and allowed them to govern Judea and Samaria.
Who signed the Oslo Accords? What prize did they receive?
Shimon Perez, Mahmoud Abbas, Warren Christopher, Andrei Kozyrev. They got Nobel Peace Prizes.
How many inhabitants live in Israel today? What percentage is Jewish?
9,490,000 total. 74% Jews.
Draw a map of Israel and mark in it: Israel’s capital city, biggest city in the country, the northern most important city, the southern most important city, neighboring countries, rivers and seas.
Capitol: Jerusalem
Biggest City: Tel Aviv
Northern Most City: Haifa
Southern Most City: Eilat
Neighboring Countries: Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon
Rivers: Jordan
Seas: Mediterranean, Red, Galilee, Dead.
What are the different names of Rosh haShana? What’s their meaning?
Yom Teruah (day of sounding), Yom HaDin (day of judging), Yom HaZikron (Day of Remembrance), HaYom Harat Olam (Day the world was conceived)
When do we celebrate Rosh haShana in the Jewish calendar?
Tishrei 1 and 2
What is the Shofar? What are its different sounds?
A ram’s horn trumpet. T’kia, Teruah, Shevarim
Why do we blow the Shofar on Rosh haShana?
To declare God as king, a call to repentance
How do we greet each other on Rosh haShana?
Shana Tovah
What are some of the customs of Rosh haShana?
Honey and apples, Hear the Shofar, Tashlich (casting your sins into a body of water by shaking out your clothes near a river or lake), Round Challah, Pomegranate
Name some of the special prayers of Rosh Hashana.
Avinu Malchenu
What is the Machzor?
Holiday prayer book
What are the Aseret Yemei Teshuva?
10 day period between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur
What is the Shabbat Shuva and why do we call it that way?
The Shabbat between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur. Because it is focused on repentance.
What do we commemorate on Yom Kippur? On what day of the calendar is it?
It is the day Moses brought the second set of tablets down from Sinai (thus signifying God had forgiven His people for the golden calf) and the day of God’s forgiveness. Tishrei 10
What are the five basic prohibitions of Yom Kippur?
No eating or drinking; Wearing leather shoes; Applying lotions; Washing or bathing; Marital relations.
How do we greet each other on Yom Kippur?
Gmar Chativa Tovah (good final sealing)
What is Kol Nidre?
Annulment of vows. Before the evening service.
What is Neila?
The final Yom Kippur prayer service marking the closing of the gates.
What is Yizkor? When do we say Yizkor?
It is a remembrance prayer for our loved ones. It is said Passover, Shavuot, Yom Kippur, and Shemini Atzeret.
What are the different names of Sukkot? What’s their meaning?
Sukkot: Booths; Chag HaAsif: holiday of gathering; Zman Simchateinu: time of our celebration; Hallel: praise.
What is a Sukkah? What are the basic requirements of a Sukkah?
A temporary Dwelling/Booth. It must be outside, have a roof of natural materials, and have more shade than sun inside.
What are the Arba’at haMinim? What do they represent?
The four species. The name of G-d.
What do we do with the Lulav and Etrog?
Wave them.
Who are the Ushpizim?
The “guests” that visit the sukkah every day of the festival.
Which Megillah do we read during Sukkot? Why?
Ecclesiastes. Because it reminds us to strive after things that have meaning.
How many days do we celebrate Sukkot in Nashville? And in Israel?
9; 8.
What is Hallel? When do we say Hallel?
Psalm 113-118. We say Hallel during Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot, and Hannukah.
What’s the name of Sukkot’s seventh day? Why?
Hoshana Rabbah. Because it is the day that the judgement of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is finalized for the year.
What’s the name of Sukkot’s eighth day? Why?
Shemini Atzeret. It means eighth day of assembly because it is a separate holiday that is connected to sukkot.
What do we celebrate during Simchat Torah? How do we celebrate it?
We celebrate the beginning of the parasha cycle. We celebrate it by abstaining from work, lighting candles, and a meal.
What do we mean by Chatan Torah? And by Chatan Bereshit?
They are the honored people who read the last and first aliyot on Simchat Torah. Chatan is bridegroom.
What do we celebrate on Chanukkah?
We celebrate the rededication of the temple.
In which books is the story of Chanukkah told?
Maccabees
Who were the Maccabees?
They were a Jewish army that overthrew the Greeks.
What was the Bet haMikdash? Why was it so important for the Jews?
It was the temple. The temple is the center of Jewish worship and the Jewish connection to God.
What is a Chanukkiah?
It is an eight branched candlestick used to count the days of Hanukkah.
Why do we light candles during Chanukkah?
To celebrate the miracle of one day’s of oil lasting eight.
How many and how do we light the Chanukkia?
There are eight candles and a shamash. You place the candles right to left and light them left to right.
What is a Shamash and why do we use it?
The shamash is the middle candle used to light the other eight.
What is a Sevivon? How do you play with it? What’s its relationship with Chanukkah?
A dreidle. You spin it and give out gelt depending on how it falls. It was a way to teach about the Torah during the tyranny of the greeks.
What do we celebrate on Tu BiShvat?
The first trees budding in Israel.
What is a Tu BiShvat Seder?
It is a festive meal eaten that night featuring fruits.
What do we celebrate on Purim?
The survival of the Jews under Cyrus and Haman.
What are the main customs of Purim?
Reading the Megillah; cheering for Esther and booing Haman; having a festive meal.
What is the Book of Esther all about?
A plot to kill the Jews that is thwarted by a Jewish heroine named Esther.
What do we celebrate on Pesach?
The Exodus from Egypt.
What are the different names of Pesach? What’s their meaning?
Chag HaHerut (festival of freedom); Chag HaMotzah (festival of Motzah); Chag HaAviv (Festival of Spring); Zman Cherutenu (Time of our Liberation)
What is “Bedikat Chametz”? And “Biur Chametz”?
The searching/destroying of leaven.
What is Matza?
Unleavened Bread
What is Chametz? Give examples.
Yeast. Sandwich bread; rolls; Challah; etc.