Judaism - Practices Flashcards
What is the ark?
Cupboard that
houses the Torah
scrolls – the most
important feature in
the synagogue
What is the jewish place of worship?
The Synagogue
What is the bimah
Platform in the
centre of the
synagogue. The
Torah scrolls are
read from
here.
What is the menorah?
A seven-branched
candlestick –
representing each
day of God’s
creation
What is the ner tamid?
Eternal light. Always
burning. It shows God
is always present
What is the gallery?
In Orthodox
synagogues
the seating
area upstairs
is just for
women.
What are othodox characteristics of worship?
• Daily services
• Services in Hebrew
• Rabbi has his back to
the congregation
• Men & women sit
separately
What are reform characteristics of worship?
• Services only on Shabbat &
festivals (not daily)
• Services in Hebrew and
English
• Rabbi faces congregation
• Men & women sit together
What is the kippah?
All Jewish men
cover their
heads when they
pray as a sign of
respect for God.
What is the tallit?
Woollen shawl.
Shows the man is
obeying God’s laws
because each fringe
(tzitzit) symbolises
one of the 613
mitzvot given by God.
What is the tefillin?
Two leather boxes. One
is worn on the upper left
arm and the other on the
forehead. Each contains
the Shema and wearing
them shows that the
person loves God with
their heart and mind.
What is the daly prayer called?
Minyan
What is the format of jewish prayer services?
- Opening prayers
- Shema
- Amidah
- Final prayers
What is shabbat?
The Jewish holy day – Sabbath. From sunset on Friday
until sunset on Saturday every week
What is shabbat in the synagouge?
- Every Friday evening there is a prayer service in the synagogue
– often family friendly - stories, games, music - A further service in the synagogue on Saturday morning includes
a reading from the Torah. - While the Torah is being read the congregation stand to remind
them that the Israelites stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai
when Moses returned with the Ten Commandments. - The Torah scrolls are then paraded around the synagogue –
giving people the opportunity to be close to God’s word.
What is shabbat in the home?
• Family meal every Friday night - wine and two loaves of challah
bread are on the table
• A female family member lights two candles before sunset
• She welcomes in Shabbat by waving her arms around the
candles and covers her eyes to say a blessing and prayer
• Many go to the evening service in the synagogue (see previous)
What is worship in the home?
• Jews worship God whenever they can
• The mezuzah- a small box containing verses from
the Torah is fixed to a doorpost which they touch
when they pass
What are the 4 staes of life?
Birth
Marriage
Death
Coming of age
What are the 3 ceremonies associated with birth?
Naming ceremony Brit Milah (circumcision
ceremony – when a boy is
eight days old)
Redemption of
the firstborn
son
What is bar and bat mitzvah?
A Jew is seen to
become an adult.
Preparation brings
the person closer
to God
What happens at a jewish funeral?
• The body is washed, wrapped in cloth and a tallit (men)
• Placed in a simple coffin to show that everyone is equal
in death.
• After the service, everyone washes to their hands to
show they are leaving death behind
What is kosher
food that Jews are
allowed to eat
What is trefah?
food that Jews are
not allowed to eat
What is pesach (passover)?
• 8 day festival to celebrates the Jews’ escape from
slavery in Egypt.
• Remembers the final plague which killed the firstborn of
the Egyptians but ‘passed over’ the houses of the Jewish
slaves.
• The most important preparation is to remove leaven
(yeast) from the home
What is the seder meal (passover meal)?
Different foods symbolise an aspect
of the struggle of the Israelites in
Egypt
What does dipping the parsley mean to Jews?
This reminds Jews of
the sweat and tears of
the slaves
What is the matzah?
Matzah reminds Jews of the speed with which
they left Egypt
What is the importance of pesach?
• Reminds Jews they are God’s chosen people – God has
fulfilled the covenant
• To help Jews empathise with those who still live under
oppression
• To ensure Jewish faith and traditions are passed on to
future generations
