Covenant and Jewish festivals

Question 1

What is the meaning of covenant in Judaism?

Answer 1

Jews believe that they have an agreement between God and his Chosen People. For example, God will bless and protect his chosen people and Jews must obey and worship God.

Question 2

What is Brit Milah?

Answer 2

An operation in which the foreskin of a boy’s penis is removed. It is an important Jewish practice that can be traced to God’s Covenant with Abraham. It is a tradition in Judaism that has been carried out for many generations and it is a physical reminder of how boys are associated with their faith.

Question 3

What happened to the Pharaoh when he disobeyed God?

Answer 3

God saw the injustice and suffering of the Jews and appointed Moses to warn the Pharaoh to liberate the slaves or the Pharaoh and all of Egypt would suffer. Unfortunately, the Pharaoh did not listen and Egypt was hit by the Ten Plagues which included boils, locusts and flies etc. Every plague that came was worse than the plague than before. Finally, Egypt was struck by the last plague, the death of a first-born male and the Pharaoh’s son was killed. However, God told the Jews that if they painted the blood of a lamb on their door, nobody of that household would die since the Angel of Death passed over the house. This is why the festival is called Passover. The Pharaoh afterwards decided to let the slaves go due to the great tragedies he had faced from not freeing the slaves.

Question 4

What was Abraham’s original name?

Answer 4

Abram

Question 5

What did God promise Abraham?

Answer 5

He promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations.

Question 6

When should every male Jew be circumcised?

Answer 6

At 8 days old.

Question 7

What is another word for Passover?

Answer 7

Pesach

Question 8

What did the Pharaoh do after he let the Jews go?

Answer 8

He changed his mind again and sent his army to chase after the Jews, but his army was drowned in the Sea of Reeds. For Jews today, this show how God cares about suffering and is in control of the natural world.

Question 9

When is Passover celebrated?

Answer 9

It takes place in late spring.

Question 10

In Passover, what does the shank bone of a lamb symbolise?

Answer 10

A reminder of the lamb that was sacrificed so its blood could be used to protect citizens.

Question 11

In Passover, what does the egg symbolise?

Answer 11

A symbol of new life.

Question 12

In Passover, what does the green vegetable symbolise?

Answer 12

A symbol of how God’s caring for the Jews whilst they roamed the barren desert

Question 13

In Passover, what does the bitter herbs symbolise?

Answer 13

To symbolise the bitterness and harshness of slavery.

Question 14

In Passover, what does the charoset symbolise?

Answer 14

A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, spices and wine, it represents the sweetness of freedom.

Question 15

In Passover, what does the bowl of salt water symbolise?

Answer 15

To symbolise the salty, watery tears of the slaves.

Question 16

In Passover, what does the glass of wine symbolise?

Answer 16

This is drunken 4 times to represent the 4 promises which God promised to Moses.

Question 17

In Passover, what does the Matzot symbolise?

Answer 17

Matzot are flatcakes of unleavened bread representing the food of the slaves when they were free from Egypt, since the bread did not have enough time to rise.

Question 18

What is Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah?

Answer 18

Bar Mitzvah in Judaism is when a boy comes of age (13) and takes responsibility. Bar Mitzvah means Son of the Commandment.

Bat Mitzvah in Judaism is when a girl comes of age (12) and takes responsibility. Bat Mitzvah means Daughters of the Commandment.

Question 19

What happens in Bar Mitzvah?

Answer 19

In Bar Mitzvah, the boy reads from the Torah. The boy will wear a Tallit for the first time (a fringed garment worn as a prayer shawl) and wears a Tefillin on his head and arm.

Question 20

What is the Tefillin?

Answer 20

The Tefillin are two small leather boxes that contain verses of the Torah.

Question 21

How does a Jewish boy prepare for Bar Mitzvah?

Answer 21

He learns to recite a passage from the Torah.

Question 22

What is the Bimah and what happens here?

Answer 22

A platform in the Synagogue where the boy does the reading.

Question 23

What is Seder?

Answer 23

On the first evening of Passover, families hold a Seder service and celebrate with a special meal.

Question 24

What is A Rite Of Passage?

Answer 24

A Rite Of Passage is an event that marks a special stage in a person’s life from birth to death e.g. Baptism, Confirmation, Brit Milah, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Marriage and Death.

Question 25

Why are Jewish rituals important in Jewish family life?

Answer 25

Family life is very important for Jews. Teh family is where Jewish life is preserved and passed on for the next generation. There are four important events, birth, coming of age, marriage and death. These are called Rites of Passage.

Question 26

What happens in the Genesis Chapter 17 (The Covenant)?

Answer 26

Genesis chapter 17:

1) God changes Abram’s name to Abraham
2) Abraham is told by God that he will be the Father of many Nations
3) Every male Jew should be circumcised at 8 days old.
4) God establishes the Covenant.
5) Kings and great people will come from Abraham e.g) Solomon and David

Question 27

Why did God appoint Moses to rescue the Jews?

Answer 27