Judaism Practices Flashcards
What is a synagogue?
A space where Jews meet and take part in a wide range of activites
Why is a synagogue important?
Because it strengthens their community by providing a space for a variety of activities
What is orthodox Judaism?
Traditional branch of Judaism
What is reformed judaism?
A type of progressive Judaism
What is the prayer hall?
The room in the synagogue where Jews come together for communal worship and prayer
What is kept in the Ark?
The torah scrolls
What is the ark?
An ornamental cabinet that is at the front of the synagogue
What does the Ner Tamid translate into?
The ever-burning light
What is the Nee Tamid?
A light at the front of the Ark that is traditionally an oil lamp
What does the Ner Tamid synbolise?
God’s presence
What does the Bimah translate into?
The reading platform
What is the bimah?
A raised platform in the centre of the prayer hall where the Torah is read from during services
What are orthodox Synagogue services?
daily services said in Hebrew where the person leading the service has his back to the congregation so he’s facing the ark. Men and women sit seperately
What are reformed synagogue services?
Daily services aren’t often held. The service is in Hebrew and the country’s own language. Men and women sit together and the person leading mostly faces congregation.
What is the torah?
The ive books of moses which corm the basis of Jewish law
What is the format of Jewish services?
- Opening prayers
- The shema
- The amidah
- A reading from the Torah
- Final prayers
What is the shema?
A prayer showing the belief of one God
What is the importance of prayer?
Because it’s a way to communicate with God, it brings Jews closer to God, it helps Jews remember what their is about and communal prayer strengthens the community
What is the Amidah?
The central prayer of Jewish worship. On a weekday it forms the core of all Jewish prayee services. It consists of lots of blessings
What is Shabbat?
A day that God has commanded Jews to celebrate. It’s a gift from God of a day of rest and renewal
What does Exodus: 20 state?
“Remeber the Sabbath day and keep it holy”
What is a shabbat service?
A brief service in the Synagogue on Friday evening where the Shabbat is welcomed. The main service is on saturday morning
What is the saturday shabbat service?
It’s the main service in the morning which is longer than the weekday prayer service as it has readings, prayers and blessings
What preperations are made for Shabbat?
On Friday evening all the work is done and the home is prepared. Two candles are placed on the table, two loaves of challah bread are on the table and wine or grape juice is placed on the table
Who lights the candles on Shabbat?
A female member of the family lights two candles before sunset on friday. Then they say a prayer aksing God to bless the family
What are the dietary laws?
Orthodox Jews believe the laws havw come from God to test their obedience and to help develop their self-control. Reform Jews think the laws are outdated and it’s up to the individual to follow them
How are Kosher animals killed?
The animal must he killed by a trained Jew with a very sharp knife and it must be killed when it’s conscious. Jews can’t consume food containing blood
What does Exodus 23:19 state?
“You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk”
What are the rules of the Jewish kitchen?
Milk and meat must be kept seperately and they aren’t allowed to be eaten at the same time
What is the Tenakh?
The written law which is a sacred scripture that is collection of 24 books
What is the talmud?
A commentary by the early rabbis on the Torah which contains collections of discussions and teaching about how to interpret the Torah and apply its laws
What is private prayer?
Jews are expected to pray three times a day. If Jews are alone, they stand up to pray in silence.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
It remembers God’s creation of the world and it’s a day of judgement. It’s the anniversary of the day on which God created humans
How do Jews prepare for Pesach?
Jews must remove leaven (yeast) from their home as it shows how the Jews did not have time to let their bread rise when they escaped from Egypt.
What does pesach celebrat”
The Jew’s escape from slavery in Egypt. It remembers the final plague which killed the firstborn children of the Egyptians
Why pecach important?
It’s important as it celebrates their escape from slavery to create the birth of the Jewish nation, when they were given the law that made them God’s chosen people.
What is the bar and bar mirzvah?
It’s when a Jew is seen to become an adult meaning they are expected to start following Jewish law and to take full responsibility for their actions. Preparing for it brings Jews closer to God
What do couples do before the wedding?
They may fast to cleanse themselves of sin and come to the ceremony with the right attitude
What is the betrothal ceremony?
It takes place where the bride joins the groom underneath the chuppah where the bride and groom recite two blessings over wine
What is birth?
Boys and girls born into orthodox families are blessed in the synagogue on the first shabbat after their birth. A baby girl’s name will be announced at the point and a boy will be named after circumcision
What happens during the Brit Milah ceremony?
When a baby boy is 8 years old a relative places the baby on an empty chair to symbolise the presence of the prophet and the baby is circumcised
