judaism: practices Flashcards
what is a synagogue?
-a building where Jews meet for worship, study, social activities, charitable events & festivals
-the centre of the Jewish religious community
how are synagogues a centre of assembly?
their use of jewish symbols on the outside of the building
eg: a menorah or the star of david
the importance of the synagogue (worship, prayer & services)
-a space for worship and communal prayer
-jews can pray anywhere, but they believe it is good to pray together in a group
-certain prayers can only be said in the presence of a minyan (group of at least 10 adults)
-services are regularly held in the synagogue for jews to pray and worship together
the importance of the synagogue (education)
-the synagogue helps to educate jews of all ages in their faith
-may provide classes in hebrew for young Jews, to help them learn the language used in jewish prayer
-most synagogues have a library that helps older jews to continue improving their understanding of the faith
the importance of the synagogue (social activities)
-variety of activities for children, teenagers and adults in their social hall (eg: youth clubs, music or drama groups, and groups for senior citizens)
-a place to discuss matters that are important to the community
the importance of the synagogue (charitable events)
-often hold events to raise money for charity
-collect money or other items to be given to charity or the poor and needy
the prayer hall
-room where jews come together for communal worship and prayer
-usually rectangular, with seats on three sides of the hall facing inwards towards the bimah, which is in the centre
-fourth side is where the ark is kept (focal point of the synagogue)
-prayer hall might be decorated with patterns, jewish symbols or extracts from scripture
-images of God, the prophets or other religious figures are not allowed
the ark - description
-ornamental cabinet where the torah scrolls are kept
-at the front of the synagogue, usually set into the wall facing jerusalem
-usually reached by climbing up some steps
-usually two stone tablets are above the ark (start of each of the ten commands is written)
the ark - significance
-holiest place in the synagogue
-represents the og ark of the covenant, was built to hold the ten commandments
-first ark was taken to jerusalem and placed in the temple built by king solomon
-today, when jews face the ark, they face the city where the temple once stood
-by climbing up steps to reach the ark, jews are reminded that God is above his people and the sacred torah is above humanity
ner tamid - description
-light placed in front of and slightly above the ark
-traditionally an oil lamp, but now electric (with an emergency power source in case of a power cut)
ner tamid - significance
-symbolises God’s presence, so it is never put out
-reminder of the menorah that was lit every night in the temple in jerusalem
bimah - description
-raised platform in the centre of the prayer hall
-where torah is read from during services
bimah - significance
-provides a focal point when the torah is being read, making it easier for the congregation to see the reader and hear what is being said
-reminder that the altar was the central feature of the courtyard in the temple in jerusalem
orthodox judaism
-traditional branch of Judaism
-strictly follow the laws in the torah
-torah was given directly to moses by God, so should be followed as closely as possible
-men and women should have different roles
-all orthodox rabbis are male
reform judaism
-progressive judaism
-reform jews emphasise the importance of individual choice in deciding how to worship and practise the faith
-torah was inspired by God but written by humans, so it can be adapted for modern times
-men and women should be able to undertake the same roles
-women in can be rabbis or part of the minyan
do orthodox synagogues hold daily services?
yes, so jews can pray together
what language are orthodox services in?
hebrew
where does the person who leads the service face in an orthodox synagogue?
his back is to the congregation, he is facing the ark
where do men and women sit in an orthodox synagogue?
apart
is service rigid in orthodox churches?
no, some of the congregation may arrive late and catch up at their own pace
what do men and women wear on their heads to the synagogue? (orthodox)
-men always wear a skull cap
-married women cover their heads by wearing a hat or scarf
-this shows respect for God, and a recognition that God is above humanity
is singing accompanied in an orthodox synagogue?
no
do reform synagogues hold daily services?
no, the focus is on celebrating shabbat and festivals
what language are reform services in?
hebrew and the country’s own language (english in the UK)
where does the person who leads the service face in a reform synagogue?
the congregatiom
where do men and women sit in a reform synagogue?
together
is service rigid in reform services?
slightly, though shorter than orthodox ones, there is a set time and worshippers are usually present at the start
what do men and women wear to the synagogue? (reform)
most men wear a skull cap and some women do as well (or they might wear a hat instead)
is singing accompanied in an orthodox synagogue?
singing may be accompanied by musical instruments
how many times a day are jews expected to pray?
three
when are tallit and tefillin worn:
orthodox vs reform
orthodox:
morning prayers = men wear a tallit
weekdays = tefillin & tallit
reform:
some reform jewish men and women wear tallit and tefillin too
tallit - description
-prayer shawl made from wool or silk
-a long tassel is attached to each corner
tallit - significance
-shawl reminds jews they are obeying
God’s word whenever they wear it
-tassels represent the mitzvot
tefillin - description
-a pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the torah,
-one is fastened with leather straps to the centre of the forehead, the other is fastened around the upper arm in line with the heart
tefillin - significance
reminds Jews that their mind should be concentrating fully on God when they pray, and their prayers should come from the heart
the format of jewish service
- opening prayers are said (praise and thank God)
- shema, accompanied by blessings
- the amidah (‘standing prayer’) the central prayer of Jewish worship, prayed in silence while standing and facing jerusalem
it consists of a series of blessings:
-first three blessings praise God and ask for his mercy
-middle thirteen blessings ask for God’s help
-final three blessings thank God for the opportunity to serve him
- amidah is sometimes followed by a reading from the torah
- final prayers are said: include the closing aleinu prayer, which gives praise and thanks to God
why is prayer important to jews?
-it is a way to communicate with God
-it brings jews closer to God
-communal prayer strengthens the jewish community
-it helps jews to remember what their faith is all about
what is shabbat & when is it?
jewish holy day of the week, a day of rest and renewal, starting just before sunset on friday and continuing to sunset on saturday
shabbat is…
-a gift from God of a day of rest and renewal
-time to relax and rest, worship God, and enjoy family life
-time to celebrate that God has kept his covenant between God and the Jews
-a time to celebrate God’s creation
shabbat services
friday evening = brief service in the
synagogue, shabbat is welcomed like a bride coming to meet her husband
-some synagogues hold a service during shabbat for families with children, which includes storytelling, games and music
-main service on saturday morning is longer than the weekday prayer services
what happens before the reading is given?
- the congregation stands when the ark is opened: reminder of how the jews stood at the bottom of mt sinai when moses returned with the ten commandments
- torah taken from ark & dressed with a cover and ornaments (eg: crown or belt): reminder of the vestments worn by priests in early judaism
- torah held in front of the congregation while verses from scripture are chanted, it is then paraded round the synagogue:
represents the march through the wilderness, when jews carried the original ark from mt sinai to jerusalem - when the torah passes through the synagogue, many jews touch it with their prayer book or the tassels on their prayer shawl, and then touch their lips: recalls ezekiel 3:3, which tells jews that God’s words should be on their lips, and sweet like honey
what happens after the reading in shabbat services?
-after the reading is finished, the torah scrolls are dressed and paraded around the synagogue again, before being placed back in the ark
-the rabbi or visiting speaker gives a sermon
(can be based on the reading or something important in the news)
shabbat preparations & significances
- work is done & home is prepared before shabbat begins on friday evening (eg: cleaning the house, preparing the food, washing, and changing into smart clothes): work is not allowed during shabbat, jews try to make their homes neat and presentable to welcome in shabbat, which is seen as being like welcoming a special bride into the home
- at least to candles on table: two candles represent the two commandments to
‘remember’ and ‘observe shabbat - two loaves of challah bread are placed on the table: represent the food that God provided for the jews while they were wandering in the wilderness
- wine or grape juice is placed on the table (drunk from the kiddush cup):
drinking Shabbat wine symbolises joy and celebration
how is shabbat is welcomed through the lighting of the candles?
-a female member of the family lights the two candles, shortly before sunset on friday
-she waves with her arms around the candles, then covers her eyes to say a blessing
-she also says a prayer asking God to bless the family