J1 - Worship Flashcards
What is the reading desk where Torah scrolls are read called?
The Bimah
What is the Yad?
A pointer that is used to read the Torah so that it is not damaged.
What does Yad mean?
Hand
What is the Rabbi? [3]
It means teacher
It is the person who reads the Torah to the congregation.
They also often run mid-week classes and the synagogue and spend lots of time giving help and advice to the community
What is the person who leads prayers and hymns in a synagogue called?
Hazzan/Chazzan
What is a smaller reading desk that the Rabbi or the Hazzan use to place their notes on called?
Amud/lectern
What is the Women’s Gallery? [2]
Orthodox and Conservative Jews will separate men and women during services.
Women sit upstairs in a gallery or downstairs separated from the men with a mechitzah.
What is the full name of the Ark?
Aron ha-Kodesh
Where is the Ark found?
At the front of the meeting hall in the wall that faces towards Jerusalem.
What is the Ark and what is kept in it?
A cupboard
The Torah scrolls
What is the Hebrew name for the Torah scrolls?
Sefer Torah
What adorns the Torah scrolls? [3]
A sash and a metal breastplate hung on the front to represent breastplates worn by temple priests in Jerusalem
The roller handles are topped with rimonim meaning ‘pomegranates’ because decorations are often round and the fruit contained 613 seeds- one for each commandment in the Torah.
What is the seven branched lampstand that burned day and night in the temple called?
Menorah
What is a nine branched lampstand that burned day and night in the temple called?
Hanukkiah
What does Ner Tamid mean?
Eternal light.
Where is the Ner Tamid?
At the front of the synagogue, usually over the doors of the Ark.
What does the Ner Tamid represent?
Menorah that was permanently alight in the Temple to symbolise the presence of God.
What is the Star of David?
Most common Jewish symbol.
Sometimes called the Shield of David.
Can be used to identify synagogues.
What is the Hebrew name for the synagogue that means ‘House of Gathering’?
Beit Knesset
What does Beit Midrash mean?
House of Learning
What does Beit Tefilah mean?
House of Prayer
Why is the synagogue called Beit Midrash?
Because Jews can learn about scripture and Jewish history and children will learn Hebrew in order to read the Torah for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
What is the Minyan?
A group of at least 10 adult Jews that lead prayers at the synagogue.
What is the order of a synagogue service? [7]
- Introductory prayers
- Barechu
- Reciting the Shema
- Blessing of the Shema
- Amidah
- Reading of the Torah
- Concluding prayers
What part of the Amidah is left our of Shabbat or a festival day?
Prayers of petition.
Name 4 reasons why worship is important.
- It is a mitzvot
- It shows devotion
- It is an act of praise to God
- It forms part of the Covenant with Abraham so it is a duty
Name 3 examples of worship in the synagogue.
- Festivals
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah
- Shabbat services
Name 3 examples of worship in the home.
- Circumcision
- Dedication of the home
- Study
What is the Shema and when is it used?
It is found in Deuteronomy and is the Jewish declaration of faith.
It is used at the start of all prayers in the home and the synagogue.
What are the morning, midday, and evening prayers called?
Shacharit, Minchah, and Ma’ariv.
What is the Amidah and when is it used?
The most important prayer of the synagogue services that take place on weekdays. Contains 19 blessings. Can be said by everyone or led by the Hazzan.
What is the Kaddish and when is it used?
It is a doxology, a hymn of praise to God. Used to worship God. It ends the main section of synagogue services.
What is the Aleinu and when is it used?
It focuses of the duty of Jewish people to praise God and focuses on hope that the one true God will be worshipped by all. It is usually part of the closing prayers of Jewish services.
Why is wearing the Tallit important?
It is a reminder of the Mitzvot as each tassel on the Tallit represents the mitzvot.
What is the symbolism of the boxes on the forehead and on the arm in line with the heart?
The box on the forehead reminds Jews to fully keep their mind on God while praying.
The box on the arm is to remind Jews that their prayers should come from the heart.
Where is the Mezuzah placed?
The front door.