Jewsih oractices Flashcards
How are mitzvot categorized in Judaism?
A: Mitzvot are categorized into “positive” (mitzvot aseh) and “negative” (mitzvot ta’aseh) rules.
Q: What do positive mitzvot explain?
A: Positive mitzvot explain what Jews should do
Q: What is the purpose of negative mitzvot?
A: Negative mitzvot explain what Jews should not do.
Q: What are the ritual mitzvot concerned with?
A: Ritual mitzvot explain what Jews should or should not do to avoid offending God, covering areas like worship and festivals.
Q: Name the first four important ritual mitzvot from the Ten Commandments.
Do not worship images.
Do not worship false Gods.
Do not misuse God’s name.
Dedicate the Sabbath to honoring God.
Q: What is the purpose of ritual mitzvot?
A: Ritual mitzvot advise people on how to deepen their relationship with God.
Q: What do moral mitzvot explain?
A: Moral mitzvot explain how Jews should act when dealing with other people.
Q: According to Judaism, can loving God and your neighbor be separated?
A: No, loving God and your neighbor cannot be separated.
Q: Why are moral relationships with others pleasing to God?
A: Positive relationships with others are pleasing to God and help Jews live as a community in a way that God finds acceptable.
Q: What do mishpatim refer to?
A: Mishpatim are laws from God, for example, “you shall not steal,” covering areas like settling disputes, treatment of workers, and dietary restrictions.
Q: Why do Jews suggest they should follow the mitzvot?
A: Jews may follow the mitzvot because the laws are seen as a gift from God, keeping them improves their relationship with God, and obeying them shows gratitude to God.
Q: What is a synagogue?
A: A synagogue is a place of worship and education in Judaism.
Q: What does the term “minyan” refer to?
A: Minyan refers to a minimum of ten people required for certain prayers to be said.
Q: Besides worship, what functions does a synagogue serve?
A: Synagogues are important centers for Jewish communities where meetings, social gatherings, education, charity events, and activities for young people take place.
Q: What is the Ner Tamid in a synagogue?
A: The Ner Tamid is a light above the Aron Hakodesh that never goes out, representing the eternal light.
Q: What is the Aron Hakodesh, and what does it hold?
A: The Aron Hakodesh is a large cupboard facing Jerusalem, holding the Torah, and symbolizing the ark that held the tablets given to Moses.
Q: What is the Sefer Torah?
A: The Sefer Torah is a handwritten scroll kept inside the Aron Hakodesh, covered with a mantle or cloth, representing the sacred Torah.
Q: What is the bimah in a synagogue?
A: The bimah is a raised platform with a reading desk from where the Sefer Torah is read, representing the altar in the Temple
Q: Why are there no images of God or people in a synagogue?
A: The second of the Ten Commandments forbids idolatry, stating not to represent gods through carved statues or pictures, and synagogues follow this commandment
Ner Tamid Key verse
command the children of Isreal that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always
: Who usually leads services of worship in both Orthodox and Reform Synagogues?
A: A Rabbi usually leads services of worship in both Orthodox and Reform Synagogues.
Q: What is the role of a cantor (hazzan) in synagogue services?
A: The cantor stands at the front facing the Aron Hakodesh, leading prayers through singing, saying, or chanting.
Q: What is the Shema, and what does it declare?
A: The Shema is the Jewish declaration of faith, declaring, “Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
Describe the Amidah prayer in Jewish worship.
A: The Amidah prayer is central to Jewish worship, performed in silence with worshippers facing Jerusalem. It consists of blessings praising God, seeking help, and expressing gratitude.
Q: What is the Aleinu prayer, and when is it recited?
A: The Aleinu is a prayer to praise God and is recited as part of the final prayers in synagogue services.
Q: What term do Orthodox Jews often use for a synagogue?
A: Orthodox Jews often refer to a synagogue as “shul,” which means school.
Q: What term do Reform Jews sometimes use for a synagogue?
A: Reform Jews sometimes call a synagogue a “temple.”
Q: How do seating arrangements differ between Orthodox and Reform synagogues?
A: In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit in separate sections, while Reform synagogues have worshippers of different genders sitting together.
Q: Where is the bimah often placed in an Orthodox Jewish synagogue?
A: The bimah is often placed in the center of an Orthodox Jewish synagogue
Q: Where is the bimah often located in a Reform Jewish synagogue?
A: In Reform Jewish synagogues, the bimah is often close to the Aron Hakodesh.
Q: What is the traditional stance on ordination of rabbis in Orthodox Judaism?
A: Traditionally, only men could be ordained as rabbis in Orthodox Judaism, and women are still not allowed to be ordained.
How does the Reform movement differ regarding the ordination of rabbis?
A: Reform movements are more relaxed, allowing women to be ordained as rabbis.
Q: How do prayer lengths and language use differ between Orthodox and Reform synagogues?
A: In Orthodox synagogues, prayers are often longer and read in Hebrew. In Reform synagogues, prayers are often shorter, and some are read in English.
Q: Why is the synagogue considered the center of the Jewish faith?
A: The synagogue serves as a place for worship, community gatherings, and study, making it central to the Jewish faith.
Q: How do Torah scrolls in the synagogue contribute to the learning of the faith?
A: The synagogue houses the ark containing Torah scrolls, crucial for learning and understanding Jewish beliefs
Q: What is the significance of having a minyan in a synagogue?
A: Some prayers require a minyan (10 adults/men), easily fulfilled in a synagogue, emphasizing its importance for communal prayer.
Q: How does the synagogue align with the observance of Shabbat?
A: Shabbat services take place weekly in synagogues, in line with the Torah’s command to “Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8
Q: Besides worship, what role does the synagogue play in the preparation for faith rituals?
A: Synagogues facilitate study related to the Jewish faith, aiding in the preparation for rituals like Brit Milah, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and marriage.
Q: In what ways do synagogues provide social spaces for the Jewish community?
A: Synagogues offer social spaces, including social halls, fostering community bonds. Many also provide facilities for social interactions among young Jewish people and charitable work.
Q: Why do some argue that the home is the center of the Jewish faith?
A: Some believe the home is central due to its role in preserving and passing down the Jewish faith through the family unit.
Q: How does the home contribute to Shabbat observance in the Jewish faith?
A: The home plays a significant role in Shabbat observance, with preparations for Shabbat occurring at home, including the Friday meal and the havdalah service to end Shabbat.
Q: Where can daily prayers be said, according to those who consider the home as central?
A: Daily prayers can be said at home, and homes often have reminders of the faith such as mezuzahs, symbolism, and copies of Jewish texts.
Q: What role does the home play in observing the laws of kashrut (dietary laws)?
A: The laws of kashrut are based on the home and are primarily observed in the domestic setting.
How do Jews view the importance of regular prayer at home and in the synagogue?
A: Jews believe it is vital to pray regularly at both home and synagogue as it helps build and maintain a meaningful connection with God.
Q: What direction do Jews face when praying, and why is this significant?
A: Jews face the direction of Jerusalem when praying, symbolizing a spiritual connection to the Holy City.
Q: What is a siddur, and how is it used in Jewish prayer?
A: The siddur is a Jewish prayer book used at home or in the synagogue, containing special services and prayers for both organized and personal worship.
Q: How is the Shema significant in Jewish prayer?
A: The Shema, declaring belief in one God, is recited at least twice a day, emphasizing monotheism and guiding Jews in observing mitzvot.
Q: What is the significance of the Modeh Ani morning prayer?
A: The Modeh Ani morning prayer expresses gratitude for the gift of another day, acknowledging the return of the soul to the body after sleep.
Q: What is the Amidah, and why is it central to Jewish worship?
A: The Amidah is a standing prayer, central to Jewish worship, consisting of blessings praising God, seeking help, and expressing gratitude.
Q: How is the Amidah performed in terms of posture and silence?
A: The Amidah is performed standing and in silence, with worshippers thinking over the words in their minds rather than saying them out loud.
Q: What are the three main sections of the Amidah?
A: The Amidah consists of three main sections: the first 3 blessings praising God, the middle 13 blessings seeking God’s help, and the final blessing expressing gratitude.
Q: How is Shabbat observed in Jewish homes?
A: Shabbat is observed by refraining from work, preparing the home, and having a special meal on Friday evening, lighting candles, blessing the family, and engaging in family time.
Q: What preparations are made before Shabbat in Jewish homes?
A: Before Shabbat, homes are tidied, food is prepared, and two candles are placed on the dining table, symbolizing the commandments related to Shabbat.
Q: How is the Havdalah ceremony significant in ending Shabbat?
A: The Havdalah ceremony, marking the end of Shabbat, involves overflowing wine, blessings, a braided candle, and a spice box, symbolizing hope for a sweet week ahead.
Q: How do synagogue services differ during Shabbat?
A: During Shabbat, three main services take place in the synagogue on Friday evening, Saturday morning (Shacharit Shabbat), and Saturday evening (ending with the Havdalah ceremony).
Who is the rabbi in the synagogue, and what is their role?
A: The rabbi is a teacher, guiding in the study and practice of Judaism.
Q: What is the role of the Cantor in synagogue services?
A: The Cantor leads the congregation in Hebrew prayer and is trained in liturgy and sacred music.
Q: How does the bar/bat mitzvah child participate in synagogue services?
A: The bar/bat mitzvah child may lead services, read from the Torah, and deliver words from the Torah during synagogue services
Q: How is worship significant in the home for Jews?
A: The home is a crucial place for prayer and worship, where values and beliefs are learned, including saying prayers three times a day, observing Shabbat, celebrating festivals, and studying scriptures
Q: Why is private prayer important for many Jewish people?
A: Private prayer is significant, with various ways to pray
Q: How does the starting time of Shabbat differ between Reform and Orthodox Judaism?
A: In Reform Judaism, Shabbat may begin at any time on Friday evening, while in Orthodox Judaism, it starts at sunset on Friday evening.
Q: What is the perspective on “work” during Shabbat in Reform Judaism?
A: In Reform Judaism, “work” during Shabbat refers narrowly to the work involved with one’s occupation or any work for profit.
