Jewish Practices

Question 1

minyan

Answer 1

group of 10 adults required for a Jewish religious service

Question 2

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 2

the holiest part of the synagogue which contains the Torah scrolls

Question 3

Ner Tamid

Answer 3

eternal light that is kept burning above the ark

Question 4

Bimah

Answer 4

Raised platform from where the Torah is read

Question 5

Tefillin

Answer 5

Leather boxes containing scripture worn on the forehead and arm in line with the heart
Prayers should be completely focused on Gd & should come from the heart
“And this shall serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on you forehead”

Question 6

Kippah

Answer 6

Skull cap used to cover a man’s head, as a sign of respect

Question 7

siddur

Answer 7

daily prayer book

Question 8

tallit

Answer 8

prayer shawl with tzizit on each corner

Question 9

What do tzizit represent ?

Answer 9

commandments of Gd & whenever a Jew wears the tallit it reminds them that they are obeying’s Gd’s word

Question 10

Amidah

Answer 10

central prayer of Jewish worship
Standing prayer

Question 11

Shabbat

Answer 11

the Jewish holy day of the week ; starting shortly before sunset on a Friday until night time of Saturday

Question 12

shabbat at synagogue

Answer 12

• congregation stands when the Ark is opened: a reminder of how the Jews stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai when Moses returned with the 10 commandments
• Torah passes thru synagouge, many jews touch it w their siddur or tzizit on their tallit and then touch their lips because in Ezekiel Jes are told Gd’s word should be on their lips

Question 13

Shabbat at Home

Answer 13

• everything is prepared before Shabbat
• two candles are placed on table. represent commandments to “remember and observe shabbat”
• two loaves of challah bread. represent food provided for Jews whilst they wandered in the wilderness
• wine or grape juice. drinking shabbat wine symbolises joy & celebration

Question 14

worshipping at home - mezuzah

Answer 14

• little box which contains scripture and is nailed to doorframe of a Jewish house. Jew will touch mezuzah as a reminder to follow Gd’s commandment

Question 15

Worshipping at home - prayer

Answer 15

• required to pray 3 times a day

Question 16

worshipping at home - study of scripture

Answer 16

• Tenakh - written law - jewish sacred scriptures - collection of 24 books - includes the Torah
• Talmud - oral law - commentary on Torah by early rabbis on how to interpret laws for everyday life

Question 17

How is a baby welcomes into Judaism ?

Answer 17

• Brit Milah
• Brit Bat
• Redemption of the first born son

Question 18

Brit Milah

Answer 18

ceremony of male circumcision; removal of foreskin for religious reasons. Formal naming of the baby boy will take place

Question 19

Mohel

Answer 19

trained circumciser

Question 20

Sandek

Answer 20

“companion of the child “

Question 21

Brit Bat

Answer 21

daughters covenant. might light candles or wash the baby’s feet, name the baby

Question 22

redemption of the first born son

Answer 22

some Orthodox jews give a small amount of money 31 days he is born to redeem him

Question 23

Bar Mitzvah

Answer 23

ritual for boys at age 13
read torah in normal synagogue
his father gives thanks to Gd
will wea a tallit for the first time
sweets are thrown to represent blessings
celebratory meal

Question 24

bat mitzvah

Answer 24

ritual of girls at age 12
in reform, girl will read form Torah or may recite the Eishet Chayil
will also attend synagogue in order to prepare

in orthodox judaism women don’t take a lead role in synagogue services, so instead they may have a family meal with small religious gifts

Question 25

How Jews celebrate a marriage and why ?

Answer 25

bride circles the groom 7 times : symbolises bride and groom making space for each other every day

the groom breaks a glass under his heel : shows regret for the destruction of the temple

Question 26

Betrothal /Kiddushin

Answer 26

period of time before wedding/ engagement

Question 27

ketubah

Answer 27

jewish marriage contract of husband’s duties to wife

Question 28

chuppah

Answer 28

jewish wedding canopy which symbolises home couple will make together

Question 29

How do Jews mourn the dead ?

Answer 29

• when death is announced Jews make a small tear in their clothes “Jacob tore his clothes … and observed mourning for his son” - Genesis

-burial takes place as ASAP, simple coffin used to show equality in death

• mourners leave pebbles at the grave to represent the permanence of memory

Question 30

shiva

Answer 30

intense period of mourning that lasts for 7 days, after burial

Question 31

kaddish

Answer 31

same prayer recited throughout 12 month mourning period
praises Gd and asks for peace

Question 32

Rosh Hashanah : Jewish New Year

Answer 32

• Special prayers of forgiveness are said in the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, as well as acts of charity. To atone for any wrong-doing in order to be judged well by Gd
• shofar is blown daily in the synagogue in the month Rosh Hashanah and 100 times on Rosh Hashanah because it wakes Jews up and calls them to repent
• sweet food such as apples and honey are eaten. represents desire for a sweet new year

Question 33

You Kippur ; Day of Atonement

Answer 33

• 10 day after Rosh Hashanah. No work is to be done
• Jews fast for 25 hours
• Jews wear white as a sign of purity

Question 34

After the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, where did the Jews go?

Answer 34

The wilderness

Question 35

What was Moses instructed to build when the Jews went to the desert and how is this significant in Judaism today ?

Answer 35

• Moses was instructed to build the Tabernacle where sacrifices were made and which housed the Ark of the Covenant
• The tabernacle was mobile until Jews has their own homeland that Moses led them to

Question 36

Orthodox Jews views on how to follow the law found in the Torah

Answer 36

Torah & Talmud are sources of Jewish law, legal teaching & decisions
Many devote their whole lives to this study

Question 37

Reform Jews views on how to follow the law found in Torah

Answer 37

not regarded with the same ‘absolute’ authority & may not be studied as much

Question 38

Why is the Talmud so important ?

Answer 38

Helps Jews to understand God’s law and live correctly, especially where the laws are not clearly applied in todays society

Question 39

4 key prayers used in Jewish worship

Answer 39

Shema
Amidah
Kaddish
Aleinu

Question 40

Kavanah

Answer 40

full concentration is vital, without it prayers do not count

Question 41

Why do Jews pray ?

Answer 41

to praise Gd
Confess their sins
commanded in the Torah
to ask god to answer their prayers

Question 42

The Shema

Answer 42

statement of belief which begins ‘Hear O Israel’ the lord our God, the lord is one’ a