Judaism Glossary Flashcards
What is a kippah?
A kippah - in translation, a skullcap - is a traditional Jewish headwear that only men wear. It can also be called a yarmulke. It is a sign of respect and reverence towards God. Men are not allowed to enter Synagogue without it.
What is a synagogue?
A synagogue is a place of worship, communal prayer and study for Jewish people.
What is a mezuzah?
A mezuzah is a Jewish item that contains a prayer inside it called the sheema. They are put on every door in the house except the bathroom and you must touch it every time you enter that room. They have traditional Jewish writing and symbols on them.
What is the Ark?
The Ark is a special place in the synagogue that holds the Torah Scrolls behind a curtain with traditional Jewish symbols.
What is the Torah?
The Torah is the first 5 stories of the Hebrew Bible in the Old Testament.
What is a Tallit?
A Tallit is a prayer shawl worn during prayer and has tassels to remind us of the hard times we have gone through. It is an obligatory item to men
What is the Star of David?
The Star of David is a six pointed star and a very important symbol to the Jews. There are two triangles, the one pointing upwards shows that God is above us and always watching, the one pointing down represents that we are below God.
Who is a Rabbi?
A Rabbi is the spiritual leader of the community. They lead the mass along with the Cantor and read the sermon.
Who is a Cantor?
A Cantor - also known as a chazzan, meaning overseer - normally leads the congregation in prayer along with the Rabbi they also lead all the singing.
What is a bimah?
A Bimah is a raised platform from where the Rabbi or Cantor would read and the mass would be lead.
What is a tefillin?
Tefillin are a pair of small black
leather boxes containing scrolls of
parchment inscribed with verses from
the Torah. They are worn by Jewish
men during weekday morning prayers.
What is the Ner Tamid?
The Ner Tamid, also known as the “eternal
light,” is a special lamp found in Jewish
synagogues. It hangs in front of or above the
ark where the Torah scrolls are kept. This light
is always kept burning to symbolize God’s
eternal presence and the enduring nature of
the Jewish faith.
What is a yad?
A yad is a special pointer used
during the reading of the
Torah in Jewish services.
What is the Shema?
The Shema is one of the most
important prayers in Judaism. It is a
declaration of faith and a proclamation
of the oneness of God. The prayer
begins with the words from
Deuteronomy 6:4.
What is the Siddur?
A siddur is a Jewish prayer
book that contains a set
order of daily prayers.
What is the Tanakh?
The Tanakh is the canonical collection of
Jewish texts, also known as the Hebrew
Bible.
The Shema is the most important and central prayer in the Jewish culture. It is about love and teaches us to be obse
