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RE GCSE Revision Flashcards > Judaism : Practices > Flashcards

Judaism : Practices Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a synagogue?

A

A synagogue is a place of worship for Jews. It is also an important centre for Jewish communities where meetings take place and social gatherings happen

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2
Q

Why is the synagogue important?

A

The synagogue is the central point for life as a Jewish community- it is where many rites of passages take place. It is important as a place of study e.g. it is where a young boy/girl will learn Hebrew and study the Torah in preparation for their bar/bat mitzvahs.

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3
Q

What are orthodox synagogue services like?

A
  • Person leading the synagogue has his back to the congregation so he is facing the Ark (Aron Hakodesh) and prays facing the same direction as the congregation
  • Service conducted in Hebrew
  • Singing is unaccompanied
  • Men and women sit separately; traditionally the women sat in an upstairs gallery or at the back of a synagogue which nowadays this arrangement is often replaced with a dividing structure between men and women sitting at the same level
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4
Q

Where did women sit traditionally in synagogues and how had it changed nowadays?

A

Traditionally the women sat in an upstairs gallery or at the back of a synagogue

Nowadays this arrangement is often replaced with a dividing structure between men and women sitting at the same level

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5
Q

Why do Orthodox Jews pray separately?

A

Orthodox Jews believe that when men and women pray separately, they avoid distractions or sexual thoughts and it enables the focus to be on the prayers and coming close to God. They believe that a greater level of personal connection with God can be achieved this way.

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6
Q

Within the orthodox tradition, what are women working to?

A

Within the Orthodox tradition, women have been working towards change in recent times, promoting greater equality, looking at ways of expanding their roles in prayer services, and taking greater community leadership roles. Currently Orthodox rabbis are all male.

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7
Q

What are reform synagogue services like?

A

Many reform synagogues do not hold daily services, but concentrate instead on celebrating Shabbat and festivals

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8
Q

How are reform synagogues structured?

A

In Reform synagogues the men and women sit together and the person leading the service is facing the congregation most of the time. The Reform communities allow women to take a more active part than in the Orthodox tradition.

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9
Q

How long are reform services and how are they structured?

A

Reform services are shorter than Orthodox ones but tend to be more rigidly structured; there is a set time and all worshippers are usually present at the beginning.

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10
Q

What can women reform jews do?

A

The Reform communities allow women to take a more active part than in the Orthodox tradition. Women can perform all rituals traditionally reserved for men such as becoming a rabbi, publicly reading the Torah, being a cantor and being part of the minyan.

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11
Q

What are reform services like?

A

Reform services are conducted in both Hebrew and the country’s own language (English in the UK), and the singing may be accompanied by musical instruments. In larger synagogues in America, there is often a choir to lead the singing, but this is not common in the UK.

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12
Q

In reform services what do the people wear?

A

In a Reform service, most men wear a head-covering and some female worshippers wear a kippah or a hat.

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13
Q

What are examples of the interiors of a synagogue?

A
  • Prayer hall
  • Arc
  • Ner tamid (the ever-burning light)
  • Bimah (the reading platform)
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14
Q

What are requirements for prayers?

A

Jews believe it is good to pray together, but there must be a minimum of ten people present for certain prayers to be said. This is called a minyan .

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15
Q

What is the ark and how is it used?

A

A cabinet with the Torah scrolls. The ark is the holiest place in the synagogue because it has the sacred writings of Judaism and it represents the original ark of the Jewish people.

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16
Q

What does the ner tamid(ever-burning light) symbolise?

A

This symbolises God’s presence and a reminder of the Menorah that was lit every night in the Temple

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17
Q

What is the bimah and how is it used?

A

This is a raised platform which is usually in the very centre- it is used for reading from the Torah and becomes the focus of worship.

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18
Q

What is the torah?

A

The Torah is a very important text and refers to the first five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The Torah, which includes the Laws, is the first section of the Tenakh . The Torah contains the basis of all the Jewish teachings and guidance on how to live a good Jewish life.

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19
Q

How do orthodox Jews regard the torah?

A
  • Central revelation from God given to Moses on Mount Sinai in its final form.
  • They believe it is as relevant to life today as it was on the day it was given.
  • They try to keep the commandments set out in the Torah in every detail.
  • They would not try to modify them considerably to bring them in line with modern life or to reject them altogether because they might no longer be relevant.
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20
Q

How do reform Jews regard the torah?

A
  • Ultimately based on the central revelation from God.
  • They do not consider the Torah to have been given to Moses at Sinai in its final form, however, but think that it was written by humans over a long period of time, based on their experiences with God and other human beings.
  • Since humans formulated the Torah and adapted it to changing circumstances, it may contain contradictions and inconsistencies.
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21
Q

What are the characteristics of orthodox judaism?

A
  • They follow the Jewish laws very strictly from Moses
  • Their Key practices are observing the Sabbath, eating kosher, and Torah study.
  • Language of services are in hebrew
  • Men can only lead the services
  • Men and women sit seperately
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22
Q

What are the characteristics of reform judaism?

A
  • Reform Jews believe the Jewish laws should be re-interpreted to suit modern life
  • Language in services depends on what country you are in
  • Men and women can lead services
  • Men and women sit together
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23
Q

What do Jews wear during prayer

A
  • Prayer shawl (Tallit)
  • Kippah
  • Phylacteries (Teffilin)
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24
Q

Characteristics of the prayer shawl

A

A prayer shawl is made from wool or silk, with a long tassel called a tzitzit attached to each corner. It is usually white with blue or black stripes.

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25
Q

What does the tallit(prayer shawl) remind Jews of?

A

The tallit reminds Jews that they are obeying God’s word whenever they wear it

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26
Q

What is the kippah and what is its meaning?

A

The kippah, often referred to as a skull-cap, is a small cap worn by Jewish males as a sign of Jewish identity. It fufills the customary requirement that the head must be covered. Some people also believe that it is respectful to God if you cover your head

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27
Q

What is the phylacteries and what is its significance?

A

A pair of black leather boxes (phylacteries) containing passages of scripture, including some of the words from the Shema. One is fastened with leather straps to the centre of the forehead,the other is around the upper arm in line with the heart

This reminds Jews that during prayers their total concentration should be on God and the prayers should be completely from the heart

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28
Q

What is the importance of private prayer?

A

Allows Jews to ask God for help with personal situations and it means Jews can contact God whenever they want.

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29
Q

What is the importance of formal set prayer?

A

Provides a sense of community

Connects Jews to their history

30
Q

Where can worship take place for Jews?

A

For Jews, worship can take place either in the synagogue or at home. It is often more important to practice faith at home. For example, this is the case for the practices related to Shabbat.

31
Q

What is an example of one of the key mitzah?

A

One of the key mitzvah is worship, which is a duty as part of the covenant with God. Worship is also important to Jews because it brings the community together.

32
Q

What does worship in the synagogue and at home include?

A

Worship in the synagogue includes daily services, rites of passage and festivals.

Worship at home includes prayers, Shabbat meals and study.

33
Q

What is the shema?

A

The Shema is a Jewish prayer which affirms the belief in one God

34
Q

What does the shema say?

A

The Shema says from deuteronomy 6:4-5 - ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.You shall love the God your Lord with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.’

35
Q

Why is the shema important?

A

The Shema is important as it expresses the belief in one God, it instructs Jews on how they should respond to this belief in their daily life and it is the word of God

36
Q

What is the amidah and what is its characteristics?

A

• The core prayer of all weekday prayer services
• Prayed in silence, facing Jerusalem
• Prayed while standing up
• Consists of 19 blessings : - Praising God and asking for his mercy(first three) , asking for his help(middle thirteen), thanking God and praying for peace and kindness(final three)

37
Q

What is Shabbat?

A

Shabbat is a festive day when Jews exercise their freedom from the regular labours of everyday

Observing Shabbat is one of the Ten Commandments . Jews observe a day of rest to commemorate God resting on the seventh day after he made the world. Shabbat begins on Friday at sunset and lasts until sunset on Saturday.

38
Q

What are the shabbat services?

A

Shabbat is welcomed with hymns, prayers and psalms called Kabbalat Shabbat.

On Saturday morning there is the main service of the week, with readings from the Torah and Nevi’im .

The afternoon service on Saturday includes a reading from the Torah as well as prayers.

39
Q

What happens on saturday and why is it important?

A

On Saturday, the Shabbat occurs, this is important for Jews as it is a day of rest. It also reminds them of how God rested after he created the Earth. Jews see its importance through the sense of family and community involvement in the synagogue.

40
Q

What are the shabbat preparations at home?

A

In Jewish homes, a number of preparations are made before Shabbat. The house is tidied and food is prepared, and two candles are placed on the dining table.

41
Q

What is “lighting the candles?”

A

Two candles are placed on the dining table. These represent the two commandments received by Moses on Mount Sinai related to Shabbat, which were to “remember” and “observe” the Sabbath .

42
Q

What is the friday meal?

A

This is where a family eats a meal together on a Friday evening. Before any food is eaten, blessings are said for the children, and kiddush is said over the wine to make Shabbat holy. Drinking wine on Shabbat shows that this is a joyful, celebratory time. The bread (challah) is blessed and everyone takes a piece.

43
Q

What is the form of at home/private prayer?

A

These private prayers take many forms: Jews often pray as soon as they wake up by using water to purify themselves for the day ahead and thank God for waking them. Many Jews aim for recitation of a morning prayer called the Modeh Ani to be the first thing they do upon waking.

44
Q

What is the tenakh:the written law?

A

The Tenakh is the main sacred Jewish text and governs all aspects of Jewish life.Often the Tenakh is written TeNaKh.

45
Q

What does the talmud contain?

A

The Talmud contains rabbinic teachings which interpret and expand Torah law to make it relevant to the daily life of Jews in the first five centuries. For many Jews the Talmud is as holy and binding as the Torah itself.

(Rabbinic tradition is laid down in the Talmud is also referred to as the Oral Torah)

46
Q

Why do rabbis continue to discuss the talmud?

A

Rabbis continue to discuss the Talmud and other rabbinic works to provide guidance on issues that arise within the Jewish community today. For example, as a result of discoveries in genetic engineering and gene therapy, they may discuss questions that are raised about the use of these techniques and the concept of the sanctity of life

47
Q

What are the dietary laws in judaism?

A

1) Land animals must have cloven (split) hooves and must chew the cud.

2) Seafood must have fins and scales. It is not permitted to eat shellfish.

3) Birds of prey cannot be consumed. Only clean birds, ie those that do not consume other animals, can be eaten. Poultry is allowed.

4) Meat and dairy cannot be eaten together, as Exodus says “do not boil a kid in its mother’s milk”.

(For example, this means Jews cannot eat cheeseburgers. Often this rule is extended further, so that people have to wait up to six hours after eating meat before they can eat dairy.)

48
Q

What do kosher butchers do?

A

Animals will only be considered kosher if they have been slaughtered in a certain way. They have to be slaughtered in a way that causes the least amount of pain to the animal. This involves cutting the animals’ throat with a razor-sharp knife which causes an immediate loss of consciousness and death to avoid prolonged suffering. This method of slaughter is known as shechitah.

49
Q

What is usually seen in a jewish kitchen?

A

A kosher kitchen which is a kitchen in which food is prepared according to the Jewish kosher dietary laws. Some basic elements of the kosher kitchen: Meat and dairy are kept strictly separate. Only kosher ingredients are used.

50
Q

What do the rites of passage do?

A

Jewish rituals mark important stages of life. They often mark a transition from one phase of life to another.

51
Q

What happens in birth for judaism?

A

After the birth of a child, the mother must undertake a ritual cleaning and attend the mikveh. A scripture from the book of Leviticus requires the mother to be “purified”.

Rituals begin for Jews from birth, with Brit Milah for boys and Simchat Bat for girls.

52
Q

What does bar and bat mitzvah commemorate?

A

Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies mark the transition into adulthood for young Jews. At age 13 a boy becomes Bar Mitzvah and at age 12 a girl becomes a Bat Mitzvah. This means that they become responsible for following the mitzvot themselves rather than their parents having this responsibility.

53
Q

What happens during his and her Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

A

During his Bar Mitzvah, a boy reads from the Torah. During her Bat Mitzvah, a girl may read a prayer from the Siddur.

Within Judaism, girls and boys are not thought to hold the same responsibilities. As a result, some rules (such as the requirement to read from the Torah) are less strict for girls than they are for boys.

54
Q

What do orthodox/reform Jews do with Bar/Bat mitzvah?

A

Orthodox Jews tend not to celebrate Bat Mitzvahs as girls do not have the same responsibilities as boys in the Orthodox Jewish faith. Most Reform Jewish girls have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony.

55
Q

When can a Jewish wedding happen and where can they happen?

A

A Jewish wedding can happen on any day other than Shabbat or one of the Jewish festivals.

In all branches of Judaism, weddings may happen in a synagogue or in a non-religious venue, such as a hotel.

56
Q

How many processes are there in marriage and what happens?

A

Marriage is a two-step process: Step one is a period of engagement where the couple are promised to each other. This usually lasts 1 year and is called the betrothal/kiddush. It is part of Jewish law so it cannot be broken except by a divorce.During this period the couple do not live together, but they plan for their future lives together.Step 2 is the marriage itself with all the ceremonies

57
Q

In judaism, what does marriage show?

A

In Judaism, marriage shows holiness in everyday life and fulfils the commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22). A spiritual bond is created through the merging of two souls.

58
Q

What does the talmud also contain? AF

A

The Talmud contains further ideas about life after death. Many Jews now believe that they will spend their afterlife in either Gan Eden or Gehenna. Gan Eden is a place of paradise for the righteous where they can experience closeness with God. Some Jews see Gehenna as a place of torment and punishment. However, other Jews see it as a place of purification where people are shown their wrongdoings so they can learn from them.

59
Q

What do judaism have with belief after death?

A

Although Jewish sacred texts refer to a ‘world to come’ (olam ha-ba), Jews have always placed greater emphasis on life today on Earth(our actions) than on life after death. For this reason, no single understanding of the afterlife has dominated Jewish belief.

60
Q

What does the torah and tenakh refer with the afterlife?

A

The Torah refers to an afterlife in which Jews will reunite with family members who have died. Whereas, parts of the Tenakh refer to a place called Sheol, where the souls of the dead wait for purification.

61
Q

What is the kriah and when is it performed?

A

The kriah is performed by mourning family members when a beloved one has died, which means that they make a tear in their clothes as a symbol of grief.

62
Q

Why is the kaddish said when someone dies?

A

The Kaddish is said to help people focus on God at a time when they may feel far from him

63
Q

What is the shiva?

A

Shiva is a period of mourning lasting seven days following burial.

Orthodox Jews do not leave the house during this period of mourning. Instead, others visit them and create a minyan.

64
Q

What happens if someone loses their parent?

A

Losing a parent means that Jews will be in mourning for a whole year. This is known as Avelut, and during this time the Kaddish must be said every day for 11 months.

65
Q

What customs are followed when someone dies?

A

Certain customs are followed to remember the dead:

  • Families often buy a gravestone to mark the grave so that the dead are not forgotten.
  • On the eve of the anniversary of a person’s death, the Kaddish is said and candles are lit.
  • Often, people will fast and make charitable donations to mark the anniversary of their loved one’s death.
66
Q

What is the Rosh Hashanah festival origin? (Main event of Rosh Hashanah)

A

The main event of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar.The shofar is a horn, usually a ram’s horn is chosen to remind the Jews of the great sacrifice that Abraham was prepared to make (he sacrificed a ram instead of his son.)

67
Q

What is the Yom Kippur festival origin?

A

It was the 10th of Tishri, a the day when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two new tablets of stone to replace the ones he had smashed when the Israelites made the Golden Calf.

68
Q

What are things people in Britain today do to celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

A

• Friends and family write cards to each other, expressing the hope that God will inscribe them in the Book of Life.
• They also greet each other with the words: “L’shana Tovah” – a good year.
• Sweet foods, such as apple dipped in honey, are eaten in the hope that the coming year will also be sweet.
• Pomegranates are eaten because they have many seeds. Jews hope that God will increase the blessings of the eater by the same number of seeds.
• There is also the custom of eating round chalot (loaves) instead of the more usual plaited ones.

69
Q

What are things people in Britain today do to celebrate Yom Kippur?

A

• The meal before the fast begins should be festive. Candles are lit, including Yahrzeit or Anniversary candles, because Yom Kippur is a day on which Jews recite Yizkhor, a memorial prayer for relatives who have died.
• To atone for sins, no food is eaten or liquid on the day of atonement
• 5 Prayer Services through the day, starting at first light.
• The services include:
• Prayers to remove all promises and vows
• Prayers of confession
• Lessons on justice
• The reading of the Book of Jonah

70
Q

What are the origins of pesach? (Its reminder)

A

This festival is a reminder of the Jews who lived in the wilderness after they were freed from slavery in Egypt around the 7th century BC by Moses. Their time in the desert is commemorated with the building of tent-like structures called sukkah. This is the story from Exodus

71
Q

What are the preparations made for pesach?

A

God commanded the Jews to celebrate their escape from Egypt by eating unleavened bread (bread without yeast) for seven days each year (Exodus 12:15). The most important preparation for Pesach is to remove leaven (chametz) from the home. This includes wheat, barley, oats, or any grain that has been allowed to ferment or rise. Some Jews also avoid rice, corn, peanuts and beans. Removing leaven recalls how the escaping Israelites did not have time to let their bread rise.

Jews clean their homes thoroughly so that not a trace of leaven can be found. Usually the house is so clean that either parents or children deliberately hide some bread crumbs to find and burn to show that all leaven has been removed. Some firstborn males fast on this day in thanksgiving for their escape from death.

72
Q

What is the passover seder?

A

At the beginning of passover (pesach which lasts for seven to eight days in march to april) it begins with the Seder , which consists of a service and a meal.

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