J1- worship Flashcards
define Synagogue
a Jewish place of worship, means “assembly” in Greek
Why is there an absence of images in the Synagogue
to obey commandment to not worship false idols
Name the 9 features of a Synagogue
-Aron Ha Kodesh
-Sefer Torah
-Star of David
-Bimah
-Amud / Lectern
-Menorah / Hanukkiah
-Ner tamid
-Yad
-Women’s Gallery
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 parochet
curtains that cover the Ark
define Sefer Torah and its use
-Torah scrolls
-Handwritten in Hebrew
-Made of Natural materials
-treated with respect and dressed when not in use
Describe the materials the Sefer Torah is made of
-scroll - animal skin
-ink - oil and charcoal
-roller - wood
Describe the materials the Sefer Torah is dressed in
-tied with a Sash
-wrapped in Mantle (cloth cover)
-Metal Breastplate hung in front - represents breastplate worn by Temple Priests
-roller decorations have decorations called Rimonim
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
Name the 3 names of a Synagogue and its English meaning
- Beit Knesset - “House of Gathering “
- Beit Midrash - “House of Learning”
- Beit Tefilah - “House of Prayer”
What is different about the Rabbi and Hazzan in an Orthodox Synagogue than Reformed Synagogue
-Orthodox Synagogue- Rabbi and Hazzan has to be men
-Reformed Synagogue- Rabbi and Hazzan can be men or women
How does Beit Knesset refer to a Synagogue
- there is significance in community in Judaism
- Synagogue acts as a community hub for Jew
-Synagogue will often have rooms / spaces to hold gatherings
How does Beit Midrash refer to a Synagogue
-Synagogue is an important place of education
-Can learn about scripture, Jewish history and Hebrew
What is the Synagogue also called referring the Beit Midrash
-Shul - “School” in German
What is the different between Orthodox and Reform Judaism
-Orthodox- try to stick to the Mitzvots as laid out in the Torah
-Reform- will try to adapt the Mitzvots to fit modern society
How does Beit Tefilah refer to a Synagogue
-There will be weekly Shabbat services and rites of passages
Holds important festivals like Yom Kippur and Pesach
Name the 6 importance of prayer
-is a duty as part of the covenant - reaffirmed in the Decalogue
-shows devotion
- is a Mitzvot
-keeps a person mindful of God’s presence throughout the day
- a praise to God
bring community together
Give 5 example of public prayers
-Shabbat services
-Funeral
-Marriage
-Festivals
-Holocausts Memorial
Give 5 example of private prayers
-Shabbat
-Festivals
-circumcision
-study
-Mourning period
define Minyan
-Group of 10 or more Adult Jews that perform prayers in a Synagogue
-minimum of 10
-O - men
-R - men and women
Describe the structure of a Synagogue service and what they do
-Introductory prayers - content depends on time / day / festival
-Barechu - official start
-Reciting the Shema - statement of Faith, considered most important in Jewish belief
-Blessing the Shema - celebrate freedom of Hebrew slaves, coming of Messiah, giving of the Torah, creation
-Amidah - say private prayer from Siddur, weekday services include praises of God, petition and prayer of Thanksgiving, On Shabbat or festivals, petition prayers are replaced with “Sanctification of the Day” prayers
-Reading the Torah - a Jew reads the Torah and the Rabbi explains the reading
-Concluding prayers - begins with Aleinu- pray for a time where no false idols exist and only God is praised by all, On Shabbat, Kaddish- anticipates the Messianic Age- is said, song is sung to end
What are the 3 daily prayers
Shacharit, Minchah, Maariv
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
-prayer shawl which represents the Mitzvot
-reminds Jews to obey God’s words
define Tefillin
2 leather boxes containing the Shema which are worn on the head and upper arm
What is the symbolism behind the placement of the Tefillin
-first box on head reminds Jews to fully concentrate on God when praying
-second box on heart reminds Jews that prayer must come from the heart
What is the significance of the Kippah
-the Kippah is on the heads of Jewish men and shows humility that they recognise that God is above them
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
What is the significance of putting the Mezuzah on the door
When entering or leaving their house, reminds Jews to be faithful and obedient to God because they see the verses from the Sefer 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
What are the 4 important prayers in Judaism
-Shema
-Amidah
-Kaddish
-Aleinu
define Shema
-declaration of faith said at the start of most prayers to remind Jews to only worship god
-most said prayer
-Deuteronomy 6:4-9
-reminder that Jew only pray to God (monotheistic belief)
-used at start of prayers
-3 main periods (Shacharit, MInchah, Maariv)
define Amidah
-a part of Synagogue services which contains 19 blessings & means standing prayer
-19 blessings: 3 to praise God and ask for mercy, middle 13 for help, last 3 for thanking and praying for peace.
-on weekdays
-Middle 13 is not done during Shabbat because God rests that day.
-can be personal prayers or Hazzan will leave on behalf of congregation
define Kaddish
-a part of Synagogue services & means doxology
-hymn of praise to God
-end of main section on Shabbat
-in Aramaic
-closing prayer
define Aleinu
-a part of Synagogue services & means upon us
-focus on duty to praise God and hope that he will be worshipped by all
-closing prayer
