Jewish Festivals (practices) Flashcards
What are the three Pilgrim Festivals in Judaism?
Pesach(passover), Shavuot, and Sukkot.
What is Sukkot also known as?
The Feast of Tabernacles.
What does Sukkot celebrate?
The 40 year period that the Israelites were in the desert
What is the Hebrew term for Passover?
Pesach.
What does Pesach celebrate?
Commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from 400 years of slavery
“When i see the blood, i will Passover you”
What is the significance of the Sukkah during Sukkot?
It represents the temporary shelters the Israelites lived in during their journey in the desert. (Their temporary sheds)
“You shall dwell in booths” the 4 walls show that Jews shall be reunited (diaspora)
Which festival occurs 7 weeks after Passover?
Shavuot.
“Count 7 full weeks from sabbath and present to the lord an offering of grain in thanksgiving”
What is the shofar?
Rams horn that is blown during Rosh Hashanah
What is one of the key agricultural theme of Shavuot?
The harvest of the first fruits.
What is Shavuot?
Final pilgrim festival that commemorates mosses receiving the torch on mount Sinai. They offer wheat and crops as thanks.
What do Jews traditionally eat during Passover?
Matzah, unleavened flat bread.
Because when the Israelites were being liberated they had no time to let the bread rise.
What is the central theme of Passover?
Freedom and liberation from slavery.
What do the three Pilgrim Festivals collectively represent?
The agricultural cycle and historical events in Jewish history.
What is Rosh Hashanah
Literally means ‘head of year’
Jewish new year - festival of trumpets
“No work is to be done and on that day trumpets are to be blown” (shofar)
What’s the time of repentance called
Ten days from the start of Rosh Hashanah called Teshuvah (meaning returning)
Ten days of atonement (god is judging them during this time)
How is Teshuvah celebrated
Think of the mistakes you’ve made and throw bread in the river (Tashlich)
How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated
Eat apples dipped in honey to represent a sweet new year ahead.
Shofar is blown
What is Yom Kippur commonly known as?
The Day of Atonement (holiest day of the year)
“For this day of atonement shall be made for you to cleanse your sins”
When is yom kippur?
10 days after Rosh Hashanah
What does Yom Kippur focus on?
Repenting and reconciling with god, you wear white to symbolise purity.
How is Yom Kippur celebrated
24 hours you don’t bathe, eat, have sex or put perfume since their focus should be on god.
What is kapparah
Seeking forgiveness
What is the Holy of Holies
In the era of the temple, Yom Kippur was the only day that’s the priest could enter the holy of holies.
(Where the original Ark was kept)
What miracle is celebrated during Hanukah?
The candle burned for 8 days despite having enough oil for only 1 day.
How long does Hanukah last?
Hanukah lasts 8 days.
What does Hanukah celebrate?
The rededication of the Second Temple and the fact that God never deserted the Jewish people.
What type of food is traditionally eaten during Hanukah?
Deep fried food.
Who was the Jewish leader during the Maccabean revolt?
Mattathias.
What was significant about the Maccabean revolt?
Mattathias stood up to the new king and won despite being severely outnumbered, which is seen as a miracle.
What is Sukkot
Counted as a mitzvot (pilgrim festival), lasts 7 days and remembers the 40 year period that the Israelites were in the desert in search for the promised land.
