J definitions Flashcards
define Synagogue
a Jewish place of worship, means “assembly” in Greek
define Aron Ha Kodesh and its use
-a cupboard in front of the meeting hall, in a wall that faces towards Jerusalem
-the doors are covered by a curtain (parochet)
-2 plaques with the Decalogue, decorated with the first 2 words of each commandment, above the Ark
-keeps Sefer Torah
-During service, parochet are puled back, doors opened, and the Sefer Torah scrolls are carried to the Bimah to be read.
define Sefer Torah
-Torah scrolls
-Handwritten in Hebrew
-Made of Natural materials
-treated with respect and dressed when not in use
define parochet
curtains that cover the Ark
define Rimonim and its importance
-“pomegranates”
-pomegranates were believed to have 613 seed - each for a commandment in the Torah
define Menorah and Hanukkiah and its use
-7 branch lampstand what burns all the time in the temple - Menorah
-some have it, but most don’t - they believe it was originally designed for the temple only
-they have 9 branch lampstand - Hanukkiah- lit during the festival of Hannkkah
define Ner Tamid and its use
-“eternal light”
-lamp that always burns in front of Synagogue
-usually over the doors of the Ark
-represents the Menorah which was permanently lit in the Temple to symbolise the presence of God
define Star of David and its use
-most common Jewish symbols
-called Shield of David - believed to be on the shield of King David
-inside of Synagogue to for decoration / outside to show that its a Jewish place of worship
define Bimah and its use
-reading desk where the Sefer Torah is read
-on a raised platform and in the middle of Synagogue so everyone can hear Torah being read
define Yad and its use
-“hand” - tip is shaped like a pointing hand
-Pointer stick used when the Torah is read so ink is not damaged by greasy and sweaty hands
define Amud / Lectern and its use
-small reading desk to place the Rabbi or Hazzan’s notes on
define Women/s Gallery & its use
-Orthodox Jews will separate men and women during services - so thy concentrate on God and not each other
-Women usually sit upstairs in a Gallery / Balcony or a special section downstairs
-the special section has a barrier called Mechitzah
define Mechitzah
barrier in the special section of the Women’s Gallery
define Rabbi
-“teacher”
-Person who teaches the Torah to the congregation
-will often run mid-week classes at the Synagogue and spend a lot of time giving back to the community
define Hazzan
- “cantor / singer”
-Person who leads the prayers and hymns in a Synagogue
define Minyan
-a group of minimum of 10 adult jews who perform prayers
-O - men
-R - men and women
define Shacharit and its importance
-First prayer of the day
-remembers when sacrifices in the Temple were made
-Time when Abraham chose to pray, he wanted to start his day with God
-Helps follow the commandment throughout the day
define Minchah and its importance
-afternoon prayer
-remembers when sacrifices in the Temple were made
-interrupts your day which reminds you how important God is
define Maariv and its importance
-evening prayer
-God is the last thing on their minds before going to sleep
define Tallit and why Jew use it
-a prayer shawl that has tzit tzit at each conner
-reminds Jews to obey God’s words
define Tefillin
2 leather boxes containing the Shema which are worn on the head and upper arm
define kappah
cap worn by Jewish men
define mezuzah
a small ornate box placed on the doorstep of Jewish households and contains verses from the torah
define Mikvah
-women bathe in the Mikvah after childbirth or menstruating - touching blood is impure in Judaism, Jews don’t want to be impure and unclean when worshipping
-Men bathe in the Mikvah before their wedding
-A ceremony is held there when someone converts to Judaism