Judaism - Practices Flashcards
What is a synagogue?
A synagogue is a meeting place where Jews gather for prayer, worship, and study.
What is a MINYAN? And what is it needed for?
A MINYAN is a group of 10 males over the age of 13 required for certain prayers like Kaddish and public reading of the Torah.
Why are synagogues important to the Jewish community?
Synagogues serve as a focal point for the community, allowing Jews to pray with a minyan, access resources like Sifrei Torah, consult a Rabbi, celebrate festivals, and prepare for Bar & Bat mitzvahs.
What common features do synagogues share?
Common features include the BIMA, ARON HAKODESH, and NER TAMID.
What is the Aron Hakodesh?
The Aron Hakodesh is the cabinet that faces Jerusalem and contains the Torah scrolls. Worshippers face it when reciting the Amida.
What is the Bima?
The Bima is a platform from which the Torah is read, positioned in the center in Orthodox synagogues and in front of the Aron Hakodesh in Reform synagogues. Represents the altar from temple times.
What does the Ner Tamid symbolize?
The Ner Tamid hangs above the Aron Hakodesh and symbolizes G-d’s eternity and the Menorah that was kept alight in the Temple.
How do Reform and Orthodox synagogues differ?
Reform congregations allow mixed seating, female Rabbis, and women leading services, while Orthodox synagogues have separate seating and male Rabbis only.
What are the three daily prayer services?
The three daily prayer services are Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Maariv (evening).
What is the Amidah?
The Amidah is a standing prayer said three times a day and four times on Shabbat and festivals, containing 19 blessings.
What is the Shema?
The Shema is an important Jewish prayer from the Torah that expresses the belief in monotheism and is recited twice a day.
What is Shabbat?
Shabbat is a weekly observance that symbolizes G-d’s creation of the world in six days and resting on the seventh, lasting 25 hours.
When does Shabbat begin?
Shabbat begins Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset.
What is Kabalat Shabbat?
Kabalat Shabbat is a service in the synagogue to welcome Shabbat.
What work is prohibited on Shabbat? And what is the technical term?
39 categories of work are prohibited on Shabbat, as listed in the Talmud. MELACHOT.
What is the Havdalah ceremony?
Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat using a multi-wicked candle, spices, and wine.
What is a mezuzah?
A mezuzah is a handwritten parchment containing the Shema, placed on each doorpost except the bathroom, symbolizing Jewish identity.
What is the Tenakh?
The Tenakh is the Hebrew Bible, consisting of three sections: Torah, Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).
What is the significance of the Torah?
The Torah is the holiest section of the Tenakh, containing the direct word of G-d and the 613 mitzvot or laws of Judaism.
What is the Oral Torah?
The Oral Torah (Talmud) consists of the Mishna and Gemara.
Key life events in Judaism?
birth, brit milah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, death
What is Brit Mila?
Brit Mila is the circumcision ceremony for baby boys, performed at 8 days old as part of the covenant with Abraham.
What is the Pidyon Haben?
Pidyon Haben is a ceremony for redeeming a firstborn male child from temple service, held when the baby is 31 days old.
What is a Bar Mitzvah?
A Bar Mitzvah is when a boy turns 13 and becomes responsible for observing the mitzvot, often celebrated with a Torah reading.
What is a Bat Mitzvah?
A Bat Mitzvah is when a girl turns 12 and is responsible for observing Jewish laws.
What is the wedding ceremony in Judaism called?
The wedding ceremony is called Kiddushin, symbolizing holiness and spiritual significance.
What is the shiva period?
Shiva is a 7-day mourning period after a death
What are kosher dietary laws?
Kosher laws dictate permitted food, while Trefah refers to prohibited food, with specific rules for slaughtering animals.
What is Shechitah?
Shechitah is the specific method of slaughtering animals to ensure they are kosher, involving a sharp knife called a chalaf
What is the process called for killing meat to make it Kosher?
The process is called Shechitah.
name of knife used for killing animals kosherly?
chalaf
What are the requirements for kosher animals?
mammals must have split hooves and chew the cud
birds must not be birds of prey
fish must have fins and scales
What is the status of insects in Kosher dietary laws?
All insects are trefah (forbidden)
What is Parev in Kosher dietary laws?
neither milk nor meat
What is Rosh Hashannah?
The start of a new Hebrew year, a 2 day festival commemorating G-d’s completion of creation.
What is the shofar
A ram’s horn, blown during RH, mitzvah to hear 100 times.
What is Yom Kippur?
The day of atonement, considered the holiest day of the year.
What activities are prohibited on Yom Kippur?
No creative work is done, leather shoes may not be worn, and one may not bathe or wear makeup.
What does Pesach commemorate?
Pesach commemorates the exodus from Egypt.
What must Jews avoid eating during Pesach?
Jews must avoid chametz, any grain that has come into contact with liquid and risen.
What is a seder?
A special meal held on the first (2) nights of Pesach, symbolically reenacting the exodus story.
What items are used during the seder meal?
Special foods like matza, maror, charoset, and visual aids like roasted egg and bone.
What is the significance of Pesach in Jewish tradition?
It celebrates the beginning of the Jewish nation and acknowledges appreciation of freedom and gratitude to G-d.
What is the extra prayer service on Shabbat? In addition to…
Musaf (In addition to Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv)
What are the 19 blessings of the Amidah?
3 of praise
13 of requests
3 of gratitude
What is the Ketubah?
Marriage contract, signed as part of the ceremony, 2 witnesses.
What do they get married under? Symbolic of?
Chupah
The home they will build together - Avrahams tent open on 4 sides
Why is birth important?
Fulfills commandment - be fruitful and multiply
Naming ceremony of boy vs girl? 4 marks…
Baby girls are named in shul in the Shabbat following their birth. Their father is called up to the Torah, and asks god to bless the child.
Boys are named after the Brit Milah ceremony - fulfillment of covenant with Abraham
