J1- Worship

Question 1

What is an ark?

Answer 1

A cupboard that stores the torah scrolls
it faces towards Jerusalem
it symbolizes the ark of the covenant (Moses’ times)

Question 2

What are Torah scrolls?

Answer 2

God’s words written by hand in Hebrew
They are dressed, tied with a sash, wrapped in cloth and a metal breastplate is hung before it (like the one worn by temple priests)

Question 3

Menorah/Hanukkiah

Answer 3

Menorah-seven branched lampstand lit always in the temple
Hanukkiah- nine branched lampstand lit during Hanukkah in synagogue (represents the one in the temple)

Question 4

Ner tamid

Answer 4

means ‘eternal light’
always lit at the front of synagogues. Represents the presence of God

Question 5

Star of David

Answer 5

Used to identify Jewish place of worship.

Question 6

Bimah

Answer 6

The reading table that the Torah scroll is on when read. usually raised and in the middle of the room.
Doesn’t let the Torah touch the ground

Question 7

Yad

Answer 7

The pointer used when reading the Torah.
Prevents dirty hands from ruining the ink on Torah.

Question 8

Rabbi

Answer 8

The teacher who teaches the Torah. Also gives advice to the community.

Question 9

Chazzan/Hazzan

Answer 9

They lead prayers and the singing of Hymns in a synagogue.

Question 10

Amud/Lectern

Answer 10

Small desk used to put the Rabbi or the Hazzan’s notes on when teaching.

Question 11

Women’s gallery

Answer 11

The place where women stay in the synagogue. They are separated so that people can focus of prayer and not each other (Orthodox and conservative)

Question 12

What is the difference between Orthodox/Conservative and Reform Judaism?

Answer 12

Men and women are allowed in the same room
Women can be Hazzans or Rabbis
Women can be apart of the Minyan

Question 13

Orthodox/Conservative Judaism

Answer 13

They try to stick with the law exactly as laid out in the torah. They dont change or adapt the law.

Question 14

Reform Judaism

Answer 14

They adapt the law of the Torah to fit with the modern society

Question 15

What is a synagogue?

Answer 15

Jewish place of worship

Question 16

other names for synagogue and their meaning

Answer 16

Beit Knesset- House of Gathering (Community)
Beit Midrash- House of learning (Learning)
Beit Tefilah- House of Prayer (Celebration)

Question 17

What are the Bat and Bar Mitzvah?

Answer 17

The Bat (Female) and the Bar (Male) Mitzvah are events celebrated when a Jewish turns 13 to celebrate becoming an adult. It means that their parents are no longer in charge of their faith in God

Question 18

Who are the Minyans?

Answer 18

People who perform certain prayers
Minimum of 10 adult jews (anyone who has done Bar or Bat Mitsvah)
Reform have women in this group while Orthodox have only men

Question 19

Why are there no images in the Synagogue?

Answer 19

In Jewish it is a huge sin to worship idols, so God isn’t represented in any for of artwork just incase it creates a distraction from God.

Question 20

What is the order of the Synagogue Service?

Answer 20

Introductory Prayers
Barechu
Reciting the Shema
Blessing of the Shema
Amidah
Reading of the Torah
Concluding Prayer

Question 21

Introductory Prayers

Answer 21

The content varies on time of day and time of year

Question 22

Barechu

Answer 22

The call to worship
Official start of the service

Question 23

Reciting the Shema

Answer 23

Worshippers will say the statement of faith
Considered most important

Question 24

Blessing of the Shema

Answer 24

Prayers said on themes of creation, revelation and redemption

Question 25

Amidah

Answer 25

Private prayers from the siddur (Jewish prayer book)
Weekday: Petition, praise of God, thanksgiving
Shabbat: no petition, ‘sanctification of the day’

Question 26

Reading of the Torah

Answer 26

Member of Congression reads the torah and Rabbi teaches and explains reading

Question 27

Concluding prayers

Answer 27

Starts with Aleinu (Praying of the time when everyone worships one God)
Shabbat- Kaddish is also said (predicts the Messianic age)
A song is sung