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RE > Jewish Practices > Flashcards

Jewish Practices Flashcards

1
Q

What is a synagogue?

A
  • a place for Jews to meet and take part in a wide range of activities
  • identified by the use of Jewish symbols, like an image of menorah or Star of David
  • also called the ‘house of prayer/study’
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2
Q

What is the importance of the synagogue?

A

Because it strengthens the community because of many activities

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3
Q

What is the importance of worshiping in the synagogue?

A
  • provides a place of communal prayer
  • it is good to pray in a group, certain prayers can only be said at the presence of a minyan (group of at least 10 adults)
  • services are held in the synagogue
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4
Q

What is the importance of education in the synagogue?

A
  • helps educate Jews on their faith
  • synagogues provide classes for Hebrew (language for prayer)
  • most synagogues have a library for older jews in improving their understanding of their own faith
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5
Q

What are social activities in the synagogue?

A
  • synagogues host a variety of activities for young people in the social hall
  • some may have youth clubs, drama/music clubs and places for seniors
  • it is also a place to discuss matters important to the local community
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6
Q

What are charitable events in the synagogue?

A

Jews donate money to the synagogue to raise money that is given to charities, or the poor and needy

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7
Q

What is the prayer hall in the synagogue?

A
  • place where Jews come for communal worship and prayer
  • three sides of the hall faces the centre where the bimah is. The fourth side is where the Ark is kept.
  • prayer hall could be decorated with patterns Jewish symbols or extracts from scripture
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8
Q

What is the Ark?

A

It is an ornamental cabinet or container where the Torah scrolls are kept. There are two tablets of stone with the ten commandments. It is located in front of the synagogue

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9
Q

What is the significance of the Ark?

A

It is the holiest place in the synagogue, representing the original Ark of the Covenant. When Jews face the Ark, they face the temple. When Jews climb up the steps to reach the Ark, they are reminded that God is above his people and the Torah is above humanity.

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10
Q

What is the ner tamid?

A

It is a light that is placed above the Ark

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11
Q

What is the significance of the ner tamid?

A

It symbolises Gods presence, it is never put out. It is a reminder that the menorah was lit every night in the Temple in Jerusalem.

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12
Q

What is the bimah?

A

A raised platform in the centre of the synagogue for reading the Torah.

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13
Q

What is the significance of the bimah?

A

provides a focal point when the Torah is being read. It could be a reminder that the altar was the central feature in the courtyard of the Temple.

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14
Q

What are the traits of Orthodox Judaism?

A
  • they strictly follow the laws in the Torah
  • they believe the Torah was given to Moses from God
  • they believe men and women should have different roles
  • all orthodox rabbis are male
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15
Q

What are the traits of Reform Judaism?

A
  • they emphasise the importance of individual choice and how they practice their faith
  • they believe the Torah was written by humans but inspired by God
  • they believe men and women should be able to have the same roles
  • women can become a rabbi or being part of the minyan
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16
Q

What is public worship in Judaism?

A

services that are held by a rabbi, a cantor or a member of the congregation.

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17
Q

How do Jews publicly worship in Orthodox services?

A
  • synagogues hold daily services
  • the service is completely in Hebrew
  • men and women sit separately
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18
Q

How do Jews publicly worship in Reform services?

A
  • synagogues do not daily services, but focus on Shabbat and festivals
  • the service is in Hebrew and in English
  • men and women sit together
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19
Q

How many times will Jews have to pray a day?

A

Three times. Orthodox synagogues hold daily services for Jews to pray together

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20
Q

When do men have to wear a tallit and a tefillin?

A

Orthodox - Jewish men wear a tallit and on weekdays they wear a tefillin as well
Reform - women do that too

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21
Q

What is a Tallit?

A

A prayer shawl made from wool or silk

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22
Q

What is the Tallit’s significance?

A

The shawl reminds Jews they are obeying God’s word, tassels represent the full mitzvot

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23
Q

What is the Tefillin?

A

A pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah. One is put on the centre of the forehead and the other is on the upper arm in line of the heart

24
Q

What is the Tefillin’s significance?

A

Reminds Jews they should concentrate on God when they pray, their prayers should come from their heart

25
Q

What is the format of Jewish services?

A
  • Opening prayers are said, psalms that praise God
  • the Shema is recited with blessings
  • the Amidah
26
Q

What is the Amidah?

A

It is the central prayer of Jewish worship. Prayed in silence facing Jerusalem. The three blessings are:

  • first three to praise God and ask for his mercy
  • the middle thirteen to ask for God’s help
  • the final three blessings to thank God of the opportunity to pray for peace, goodness, kindness and compassion

It is followed by a reading from the Torah

27
Q

What are the Final prayers?

A

They include the closing Aleinu prayer - to give praise and thanks to God

28
Q

Why is prayer important to Jews?

A
  • It is a way to communicate with God
  • communal prayer strengthens Jewish community
  • brings Jews closer to God
  • helps Jews remember what their faith is about
29
Q

What are the Shabbat preparations?

A
  • The work at home is done, prepared before Shabbat begins
  • two candles are placed on the table
  • two loaves of challah bread is placed on the table
  • wine or grape juice is placed on the table in a Kiddush cup
30
Q

What is the significance of Shabbat preperations?

A
  • work at home is done because you cannot work on Shabbat
  • two candles represent the two commandments to remember and observe shabbat
  • the challah bread represents the good that God provided for the Jews when they were wandering in the wilderness
  • drinking Shabbat wine symbolises Joy and celebration
31
Q

How is Shabbat welcomed?

A

Through lighting two candles. A female in the family (wife) lights the candle before sunset on Friday. She waves her arms around the candles and then covers her eyes to say a blessing. She says a prayer asking god to bless the family.

32
Q

What happens after the Friday service in the synagogue?

A

The family shares a special meal. The head of the family holds up the Kiddush cup to say the Kiddush blessings. Firstly, bread is passed around so everyone has a piece. The meal could last for a few hours. After each course, the family could tell religious stories or songs could be sung. The meal ends with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.

33
Q

What happens on Saturday?

A

After the morning service in the synagogue, the family shares another special meal. In the afternoon, the parents may spend time with their children and study the Torah. The end of Shabbat is marked by the Havdalah service:

34
Q

What is the Havdalah service?

A
  • It is performed at home after the sun has set
  • blessings are performed over a cup of wine, sweet spices and a candle
  • the spices and candle are meant to bring light to the house after Shabbat has ended
35
Q

How do jews worship at home?

A
  • pray three times a day
  • Jewish homes have one or more mezuzot to remind them of God
  • In orthodox jewish households, the layout of the kitchen will remind them of God
36
Q

What is the Tenakh?

A
  • Jewish sacret scriptures

- collection of 24 books, found in the old testement of the christian bible

37
Q

What are the contents of the Tenakh?

A

Split into 3 main parts:

  • Torah - 5 books of moses
  • Nevi’im - 8 books that continue to trace jewish history and expand on the laws in the Torah
  • Ketuvim - 11 books that contain collection of poetry, stories, advice and historical accounts
38
Q

What is the Talmud?

A
  • a commentary by the early rabbis on the TOrah
  • Contains a collection of discussions and teachings about how to interpret the Torah and apply its laws to everyday life
39
Q

What are the contents of the Talumud?

A

Split into 2 main parts:

  • Mishnah - commentary of the Torah complied by RAbbi Judah Ha’Nasi in 200CE
    Ha’Nasi complied the Mishnah to stop the Torah from being misinterpreted
  • Gemara - a collection of discussions on the Mishnah, written in 500CE
40
Q

What do Orthodox Jews and Reform Jews think about the Torah and Talumd?

A

Orthodox:

  • considered to be the source of legal teachings
  • studied extensively by them

Reform:
- do not regard them with high authority so they are not studied in much depth

41
Q

What does the naming ceremony involve?

A
  • boys and girls are blessed into the synagogue
  • the father recites the Torah blessing, asks God for good health too
  • the boy will be named after his circumcision, the girl wont
  • in reform synagogues, both parents will take part in the naming ceremony
42
Q

What is the significance of the naming ceremony?

A

Introduces the baby to the community of God

43
Q

What is the Brit Milah?

A
  • this ceremony happens when a baby boy is eight days old
  • the Trained Circumciser picks up the baby and puts it on the chosen parents lap, being the ‘companion of the child’
  • the baby is circumcised by the Trained Circumciser in a simple operation that quickly heals
  • family enjoys a festive meal to celebrate
44
Q

What is the significance of Brit Milah?

A
  • recalles the covenant God made with Abraham. ‘be the sign of the covenant between Me and you’
  • provides a lifelong reminder he is a jew
45
Q

What is the Redemption of the firstborn son?

A
  • some orthodox jews a give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of their first born son, to ‘redeem’ him from the Temple service
  • five silver coins are given to kohen
  • prayers are also said, the child may ‘enter into Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds’
46
Q

What is the significance of the Redemption of the firstborn son?

A

‘But you shall have the first-born of man redeemed’. It is a tradition

47
Q

Why is bar/bat mitzvah significant?

A
  • It is when a jew is seen to become an adult
  • preparing carefully for it brings Jews closer to God
  • it is when the jewish boy is allowed to become part of the minyan
  • it is when a jew is expected to start strictly following Jewish law, taking full responsibilty in doing so
48
Q

How do Jews celebrate Bar Mitzvah?

A
  • at the first opportunity of his first thirteenth birthday, the boy reads from the Torah at the normal service in the synagogue
  • the boy wears a tallit for the first time, leading part of the service. He makes a short speech
  • the boys father thanks God for bringing his son to maturity
  • after the service, there is a celebratory meal or party - the boy then recieves gifts
49
Q

How do Jews Celebrate Bat Mitzvah?

A
  • at the first opportunity of her first thirteenth birthday, the girl reads from the Torah at the normal service in the synagogue
  • she makes a short speech
  • after the service, there is a celebratory meal or party with gifts. This could also be family meal with small religious gifts.
50
Q

What is Betrothal?

A
  • the period of time before the wedding ceremony when the couple are engaged
  • it is a legal status in jewish law and can only be broken with death or divorce
  • during the year, they do not live together, but prepare for their future lives together
51
Q

What is the wedding in Judaism?

A

They take place in the synagogue or in a venue, any time except for shabbat or festival.

A jewish wedding includes: betrothal ceremony, the singing, reading of the marriage contract and the marriage itself

52
Q

What happens before the wedding?

A
  • the couple may fast before the wedding to cleanse themselves of sin
53
Q

What happens on the betrothal ceremony?

A
  • the bride joins the groom underneath the chuppah, a canopy that symbolises the couples home
  • the bride and groom recite two blessings over wine. Orthodox weddings include the groom placing a plain ring on the brides finger; for reform jews they exchange rings
54
Q

What is the marriage contract?

A
  • it is signed at the presence of witnesses, read out and given to the bride
  • for orthodox jews, it covers aspects such as the husband duties to his wife and the inheritance upon his death
  • for reform jews, the marriage contract is usually focused on spritiual aspirations rather than legal rights
55
Q

What is the marriage itself?

A
  • seven wedding blessings are recited
  • the rabbi makes a short speech and blesses the couple in front of the congregation
  • the groom breaks a glass under his heel to show regret for the destruction of the temple in jerusalem - shows life has hardship as well as joy
  • the congregation wishes good luck
56
Q

What happens at the wedding reception?

A
  • After the ceremony, the couple spend a short time together in a private room to symbolise their new status as a married couple
  • the wedding reception that follows includes music and dancing
57
Q

What is the significance of Jewish marriage?

A

Marriage is a way of experiencing holiness in everyday life. It creates a spiritual bond between a couple, ‘they become one flesh’

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