Jewish Practices Flashcards
What is a kippah, why do jewish men wear it when praying?
A brimless cap traditionally worn by jewish men to show respect to God and to show your jewish identity.
Why do men and women sit apart from eachother in an orthodox synagogue?
To avoid distraction and make sure all attention is to God.
In which direction does the congregation face and why?
Faces jeruselum as it is supposed to direct their holiness to God.
What is the bimah
the raised platform found in the synagogue where the Torah is read and where some services are delivered
What is the menorah
The menorah has seven branches of candles—one for each day of Creation
What is a ner tamid
It’s a sanctuary lamp that never goes out, and it reminds us that God is always present
What is the main symbol for judaism
The Star of David. It is recognised as the symbol of Jewish Community and is named after King David of ancient Israel
What is the most important part of the synagogue and why
The ark, is the most important place inside all synagogues. The Ark is where the Torah scroll is kept/ word of god.
What is a rabbi
Jewish scholar, teacher or leader especially one who studies or teaches jewish law
What is a yad
A yad is a Jewish ritual pointer, or stylus, popularly known as a Torah pointer
What is a teffilin and who wears it?
Tefillin, or phylacteries, are a set of small black leather boxes with leather straps containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin are worn by adult Jews during weekday and Sunday morning prayers
What is a tallit
A prayer shawl that is a special garment for the service of God
What is bar mitzvah
Celebration of a boy coming of age at 13; literally ‘Son of the Commandment’
What is bat mitzvah
Celebration of a girl coming of age at 12 (in Reform Synagogues); literally ‘Daughter of the commandme
Give 3 different names for synagogue
House of prayer
House of safety
Temple
How does a synagogue help its community (4)
Place for worship and prayer
Education
Holds social activities
Holds charitable events
What is the ark
Cabinet where the tora scrolls are kept
What is the significance of the ark
Most holy place in synagogue because it holds the word of god.
Represents oroginal ark covenant which was built to hold the stone tablets that contained the 10 commandments which god gave moses
Orginalky the ark was taken to jeruselum and placed in the temple built by solomon. Therefore when jews are facing towards the ark they are facing the city which the temple once stood.
Why do you have to go up a couple of steps to reach the ark
Jews are reminded god is above all people and the torah is also about humanity
What is the significance of the ner tamid
Symbolises gods presence so is never put out
What is the different opinions about the torah between orthodox and reform jews
Orthodox- the torah was given directly by moses by God so should be followed strictly
Reform- the Torah was inspired by God but written by humans so can be adapted to modern day
What is the significance of the teffillin
Reminds jews that their mind should be concentrating fully on god
What is shabbat
Jewish holy day of the week before sunset friday to sunset saturday
Why does the congregation stand when the ark is opened to reveal the torah scrolls
Reminder of how the jews stood at the bottom of mount sinai when moses returned with the commandments
How many times are jews expected to pray in one day
3 times
When does brit milah happen and what is it
Happens when the baby is 8 days old and is circumsised
What is importance of brit milah
Provides a lifelong reminder that he is one of gods chosen people
