Jewish Practices Flashcards
minyan
group of 10 adults required for a Jewish religious service
Aron Hakodesh
the holiest part of the synagogue which contains the Torah scrolls
Ner Tamid
eternal light that is kept burning above the ark
Bimah
Raised platform from where the Torah is read
Tefillin
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”
Kippah
Skull cap used to cover a man’s head, as a sign of respect
siddur
daily prayer book
tallit
prayer shawl with tzizit on each corner
What do tzizit represent ?
commandments of Gd & whenever a Jew wears the tallit it reminds them that they are obeying’s Gd’s word
Amidah
central prayer of Jewish worship
Standing prayer
Shabbat
the Jewish holy day of the week ; starting shortly before sunset on a Friday until night time of Saturday
shabbat at synagogue
- 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
Shabbat at Home
- 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
worshipping at home - mezuzah
- 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
Worshipping at home - prayer
- required to pray 3 times a day
worshipping at home - study of scripture
- 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
How is a baby welcomes into Judaism ?
- Brit Milah
- Brit Bat
- Redemption of the first born son
Brit Milah
ceremony of male circumcision; removal of foreskin for religious reasons. Formal naming of the baby boy will take place
Mohel
trained circumciser
Sandek
“companion of the child “
Brit Bat
daughters covenant. might light candles or wash the baby’s feet, name the baby
redemption of the first born son
some Orthodox jews give a small amount of money 31 days he is born to redeem him
Bar Mitzvah
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
bat mitzvah
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
How Jews celebrate a marriage and why ?
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
Betrothal /Kiddushin
period of time before wedding/ engagement
ketubah
jewish marriage contract of husband’s duties to wife
chuppah
jewish wedding canopy which symbolises home couple will make together
How do Jews mourn the dead ?
- 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
shiva
intense period of mourning that lasts for 7 days, after burial
kaddish
same prayer recited throughout 12 month mourning period
praises Gd and asks for peace
Rosh Hashanah : Jewish New Year
- 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
You Kippur ; Day of Atonement
- 10 day after Rosh Hashanah. No work is to be done
- Jews fast for 25 hours
- Jews wear white as a sign of purity
After the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, where did the Jews go?
The wilderness
What was Moses instructed to build when the Jews went to the desert and how is this significant in Judaism today ?
- 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
Orthodox Jews views on how to follow the law found in the Torah
Torah & Talmud are sources of Jewish law, legal teaching & decisions
Many devote their whole lives to this study
Reform Jews views on how to follow the law found in Torah
not regarded with the same ‘absolute’ authority & may not be studied as much
Why is the Talmud so important ?
Helps Jews to understand God’s law and live correctly, especially where the laws are not clearly applied in todays society
4 key prayers used in Jewish worship
Shema
Amidah
Kaddish
Aleinu
Kavanah
full concentration is vital, without it prayers do not count
Why do Jews pray ?
to praise Gd
Confess their sins
commanded in the Torah
to ask god to answer their prayers
The Shema
statement of belief which begins ‘Hear O Israel’ the lord our God, the lord is one’ a
