Judaism Practices Flashcards
Why do men and women sit seperately in the synagogue?
So they can focus on worship rather than eachother
What is a Jewish place of worship called?
A synagogue
What is the Star of David?
A symbol of Judaism used to represent the shield of King David
What is the Ner Tamid?
Every lasting light in a synagogue to represent that God is always present
What is the Ark?
A cupboard where the scrolls with the words of the torah are kept, it is believed to be the most holy place in the synagogue
What is the Bimah?
A raised platform to be read from in the centre if the synagogue
What is the Menorah?
A candlestick with 7 branches, each branch represents one of the 7 days of creation
True or False: Reform services are held daily
False: Only orthodox services are held daily, reform services tend to happen weekly (every shabbat)
True or False: Men and women sit together in reform services
True: Reform Jews are much less strict about Jewish rules, therefore they allow men and women to sit together (unlike orthodox services where men and women are strictly seperated)
What are the 4 things that a synagogue ‘provides a space’ for?
PRAYER - Services are held daily in orthodox synagogues and every shabbat in reform synagogues
STUDY - Many synagogues have librarys and classes for people to learn hebrew or lean about Judaism
CHARITY WORK - Jews frequently support charities and charity events are often held at synagogues
SOCIALISING - Synagogues often have a social hall and host youth clubs
What is the name for a prayer where a minimum of 10 adults are required?
A minyan
What is a tallit?
A woollen shawl that reminds the person of Gods laws, each fringe symbolises one of the 613 mitzvot
What is a tefillin?
Two leather boxes worn on the upper left arm and forehead, containing the shemas words
What is the amidah?
A standing prayer which consists of 19 blessings
What are the first 3 blessings about in the Amidah?
They are about praising God
What are the middle 13 prayers in the Amidah about?
They are about petition and intercession
What are the last 3 prayers about in the Amidah?
They are about thanking God for the opportunity
What is a Mezuzah?
A small box containing the words from the torah that Jews have on a doorpost outside their house, they touch it everytime they pass it to remind themselves of Gods law
What is the Talmud?
An explanation of the Torah written by rabbis over a period of time
What are 3 ways the family prepare for Shabbat?
- The house is cleaned
- The food is prepared
- The family changes into clean and smart clothes
What are 4 items placed on the table during shabbat?
- Wine
- Challah bread (2 loaves)
- A kiddush cup
- A special cover for the challah bread
When does Shabbat start and end?
Shabbat starts on sunset on Friday and ends on sunset on Saturday
What is Bar Mitzvah?
The celebration of a boy coming of age (13)
What is Bat mitzvah?
The celebration of a girl coming of age (12)
Why do Jews make a tear in their clothes?
They do this after losing a loved one to show part of them has been lost.
They tear the right side if it is just a loved one but the left side if it is a parent.
What can people who are mourning not do in the first month after the death?
- Close family member stay with the body until burial
- For the next week they must block of all mirrors
- They must not shave or cut hair for the next week
What can mourners not do for the next year after losing a loved one?
- They cannot go to parties
- They cannot travel for pleasure
What is Pesach?
The celebration of escaping of the Jews from the Isrealites many years ago
What is Rosh Hashannah?
The Jewish new year period that last for 10 days and ends with Yom Kippur
What is the meal that Jews eat on Pesach called?
The Seder meal
What are the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur called?
The days of awe
What is a Kosher food?
A food that Jews are allowed too eat
What is a trefah food?
A food that Jews are not allowed to eat (non-kosher)
What are the 3 rules for a food to be Kosher?
- If it is meat it must not be mixed with dairy
- It must be kept in a kosher kitchen
- Animals must be killed according to Jewish law
