Judaism P - Ritual and ceremony

Question 1

Why is observing Jewish rituals important today?

Answer 1

1. Shows gratitude to God
2. provides a sense of Jewish identity
3. Brings God into everyday life

Question 2

What is a mikvah?

Answer 2

A ritual bath for purification

Question 3

What happens during the birth of a jewish child?

Answer 3

The child is born completely pure and free of sin when it is halfway emerged from the mothers body

2. The mother can not enter a sanctuary or touch anything sacred for 7 days + 33 days (boy) and 14 days +66 days (girl as mother needs longer time to recover as she had created another creatir)
3. They are given a hebrew and secular name and the mother would attend the mikvah once she has stopped bleeding

Question 4

What is the brit milah and what is the quote for it?

Answer 4

The covenant of circumcision that takes place when a child is 8 days.

“Abraham circumcised his son Isaac at the age of eight days as God had commanded him” Genesis

Question 5

Outline What a Bar/bat Mitsvah is?

Answer 5

A coming of age ceremony for boys aged 13 and girls aged 12 in orthodox communities, but 13 in liberal and reform communities where the children are able to take responsibility of their own actions and faith

Question 6

What do boys do straight after the bar mitsvah?

Answer 6

they lead/take part in the synagogue service and can be included in the minyan

Question 7

What do girls and boys do to prepare for their bar/bat mitsvahs?

Answer 7

They take part in learning, volunteering, and charitable tasks. (e.g. girls bake challah bread in prep for Shabbat to emphasise their role in the Jewish home)

Question 8

What does the talmud explain about Jewish marriages?

Answer 8

It explains how to find a partner, the form the wedding ceremony should take, and the nature of the marital relationship

Question 9

Briefly outline what happens in Jewish weddings?

Answer 9

1. Couple stand under canopy that represents new home (huppah)
2. Rings are exchanged in reform ceremonies
3. Seven blessings are recited in the presence of guests or a rabbi.
4. Two male witness are needed for the signing of the marriage contract (ketubah). They can be female too in reform and liberal celebrations
5. The groom stamps on a small glass to symbolise the destruction of the temple

Question 10

What is the name for full marriage in Judaism?

Answer 10

Nisuin

Question 11

What is the Kiddushin?

Answer 11

A binding engagement and the first part of marriage

Question 12

What are the 5 stages of avelut(mourning)?

Answer 12

1. Aninut - From death to burial
2. Shiva - The first seven days of mourning, the day of burial is day one
3. Sheloshim - The first 30 days from the day of burial , including the shiva.
4. Yud-bet Chodesh - The ‘year of mourning’ for a parent
5. Yahrzeit - The anniversart date of the death, according to the Jewish calendar

Question 13

What food is traditionally eaten as a meal of consolation after a funeral?

Answer 13

A hard boiled egg and a beigel

Question 14

What do mourners do during sitting Shiva?

Answer 14

1. Stay at home, sitting on low stalls or the floor
2. Do not wear leather shoes, shave or cut hair, wear cosmetics, work
3. Dont do things that bring comfort or pleasure
4. Usually wear the clothes they wore to the funeral
5. Pray 3 times daily with friends, family and neighbours (minyan)

Question 15

What are key features of a funeral?

Answer 15

1. The body is washed and wrapped in a linen shroud
2. The men are wrapped in Tallit. The tassels that signify the commandments of cut off, as they are no longer necessary
3. Plain coffins are used, which show an equality in death between rich and poor

Question 16

What is a eulogy?

Answer 16

A speech of praise and remembrance for someone who has died

Question 17

What is Challah?

Answer 17

Plaited bread prepared before Shabbat begins