judaism practices Flashcards
What four features do all synagogues have?
Aron Hakodesh, Sefer Torah, Ner Tamid, Bimah
What is the Aron Hakodesh?
A large cupboard on the wall facing Jerusalem, holds the Sefer Torah, symbolises the ark that held the tablets God gave to Moses.
What is the Sefer Torah?
Scroll of the Torah, handwritten by a scribe, covered in a decorated cloth.
What is the Ner Tamid?
A light above the ark which never goes out, symbolises the menorah which was always alight in the Temple.
What is the Bimah?
Raised platform in a ready desk, where Torah is read.
What is the difference in placement of the Bimah between Progressive and Orthodox synagogues?
Orthodox synagogues have it in the centre of the synagogue while Progressive synagogues have it near the Aron Hakodesh.
What will you never find in a synagogue and why?
There are no pictures of God or people in synagogues because the second of the Ten Commandments forbids idolatry - worshipping people or objects.
What do Orthodox synagogues have that Progressive synagogues don’t?
Orthodox synagogues have separate places for men and women to sit while Progressive synagogues have mixed seating.
What do some Jews believe happens when they worship together?
They believe they can feel God’s presence together, experience Shechinah together
What is the siddur?
A prayer book used during services, it sets out the order of each prayer.
What is a minyan?
Ten people, for some prayers at least ten people must be present.
What is the difference between Orthodox and Progressive Judaism regarding minyans?
Orthodox Jews believe there must be 10 men to form a minyan, but Progressive Jews think it can be women as well.
Where do Jews face during prayer?
Jews face Jerusalem during prayer.
How many daily services are there in Orthodox synagogues?
Three.
What are the names of the three daily services in an Orthodox synagogue?
Shacharit(morning service), Minchah(afternoon service), Ma’ariv(evening service).
What is the Shema?
The Shema is a declaration of faith in only one God. It’s in three parts, taken from the Torah.
Give the bible quote that begins the Shema.
Deuteronomy 6:4 ‘Hear, O Israel; the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.’
Where in the house is the prayer of Shema kept?
On every doorpost in the house apart from the bathroom. It’s written on a tiny parchment scroll called a mezuzah.
What is the Amidah?
A set of 19 blessings, praises God, asks for justice, ends with thanksgiving and asking for peace. This prayer is said standing up.
What are Tefillin?
Tefillin are two boxes containing Torah passages. One is strapped to the upper arm, and one to the head. Reminds them to serve god with heart and head.
What is Shabbat?
Shabbat is a day of rest to commemorate the seventh day of creation. It’s a time of reflection and worship, away from the stress of daily life so you can focus on faith.
When is Shabbat?
Starts in the evening on Friday, ends in the evening on Saturday.
What happens on Friday Evening during Shabbat?
Kiddush is said during evening meal, Shabbat is welcomed with a set of hymns, psalms and prayers.
What happens on Saturday Morning during Shabbat?
During the morning, the main service of the week happens. There are Torah and Nevi’im readings + hymns and prayers about the importance of the Torah.
What happens on Saturday Afternoon and Evening during Shabbat?
Afternoon service includes a reading from the Torah. Followed by ma’ariv and finishes with havdalah to end Shabbat.
What cannot be done during Shabbat?
Work. This includes things like cooking, driving and gardening.
What must be done with meals during Shabbat?
They must be cooked in advance before Shabbat begins.
What marks the start of Shabbat?
A family member(usually female) lighting two candles.
What happens at the start of the Shabbat meal?
Kiddush is said to set the Shabbat apart s holy. The wine is blessed and then drunk.
What bread is eaten during Shabbat?
Challot, commemorates the double portion of ‘manna’(miraculous food) granted by God the day before Shabbat during Exodus.
What marks the end of Shabbat?
The havdalah ceremony, having this clear end to Shabbat separates it from the six days ahead.
What is done during Havdlah?
Blessings are said over sweet-smelling spices, a cup of wine and a plaited candle with several wicks.
What is the set of food laws in Judaism called?
They are known as kashrut.
What is permitted and non-permitted food called?
Permitted food is called kosher, non-permitted food is called trefah.
What must an animal have/do to be kosher?
An animal must have cloven (split) hooves and chew cud. Sea food with both fins and scals is kosher, but no other seafood is.
Poultry is kosher. True or false?
True.
What must be drained from meat because it isn’t kosher?
Blood.
How must animals be killed for their meat to be kosher?
They must be killed by a specially-trained person with a cut across the throat using a sharp blade.
What are the differences between Orhtodox Jews and Progressive Jews when it comes to following a Kosher diet?
Orthodox Jews strictly follow kashrut, but Progressive Jews leave it up to the indivivudal. Some Progressive Jews only observe some of the laws, while others will eat kosher food at home and non-kosher food elsewhere.
Why is keeping kashrut important?
It shows self-control and obedience to God, it’s also part of the mitzvot.
Can kashrut be broken?
Yes, if it is necessary for medical reasons.
What is brit milah?
The Jewish circumcision ceremony when a boy is born.
Why are boys circumcised in Judaism?
It’s a sign that they belong to the Jewish faith and it was part of the covenant God made with Abraham.
When is brit milah usually done?
It’s usually done at home 7 days after the baby is born, if the baby is unhealthy it can be done later.
Who is brit milah done by?
A mohel, a Jewish persin specially trained to do so.
WHta happens after brit milah?
Kiddush is said nad the boy is given his Hebrew name.
What is the simchat bat?
A naming ceremony for Jewish baby girls.
What happens during the simchat bat?
It can vary, but normally there are songs of thanks and blessings, a ritual to welcome the girl into the covenant, an explanantion of the choice of names and kiddush is said.
What group in Judaism is less liekly to celebrate simchat bat?
Orthodox Jews. Instead, when a girl is born her Hebrew name will be given in a synagogue service and her father will do a Torah reading.
When does a Jewish boy become bar mitzvah?
When he is 13.
When does a Jewish girl become bat mitzvah?
When she is 12.
What do bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah mean?
A son/daughter of the commandmnets. It means they now have to fulfil the mitzvot.
Do girls and boys have to do anything become bat/bar mitzvah?
No, it’s defined simply by their age. However, there is often a ceremony to celebrate.
When is a bar or bat mitzvah usually done?
It’s normally done as part of a synagogue service during Shabbat.
What happens during a bar or bat mitzvah service?
The young girl or boy will lead some prayers and read from the Tenakh. They will study the relevant Tenkh passage beforehand and learn to sepak it in Hebrew.
Do Orthodox Jews always have a bat mitzvah ceremony?
Not always, because women don’t have the same responsibilities as men when it comes to worship.
What two parts is a Jewish marriage ceremony in?
The kiddushin(the betrothal) and the nisuin(the wedding).
Where do Jewish weddings usually happen?
They usually happen in a synagogue.
What does a Jewish wedding ceremony happen under and what does it symbolise?
A huppah(canopy), which can be a simple tallit or more elabroate. It symbolises the home the couple will build together
What happens first in a Jewish wedding ceremony?
First, a cup of wine is blessed and the couple drink from it. This symbolises the life they will share.
What completed the kiddushin ina Jewish wedding?
The groom gives the bride a ring and says the wedding vow.
What is a diferrence at Progressive Jewish weddings compared to Orthodox Jewish ones?
At Progressive Jewish weddings, both the bride and groom will excahnge rings and say wedding vows. However, at an Orthodox Jewish wedding onl the groom will give the bride a ring and say a wedding vow.
What is the ketubah and what is it it’s part in the wedding ceremony?
The ketubah is the marriage contract. It’s read out during the wedding.
What is written in the ketubah?
The traditional ketubah states the bride’s right to be cared for by her husband and her entitlements in case of divorce or death.
What is diferrent in a ketubah in a Progressive Jewish wedding ceremony?
Progressive Jews have rewritten the ketubah to be a mutual statemnt of love and commitment, instead of only including the groom’s commitment to care for his bride.
What does the nisuin of a Jewish wedding start with?
It starts with seven blessings said over wine, in which God is praised for creating the universe and humanity and for the gift of children.
What ends a Jewish wedding and what does it symbolise?
Finally, a glass is broken by stepping on it. This is though to symbolise either the destruction of the Temple or to emphasise that love needs to be protected.
What is kriah and what does it symbolise?
An action performed by mourning family of someone who has recently passed. They will make a tear in clothing or ribbon to symbolise their grief.
What does a Jewish funeral service include?
Funeral services often include prayers, psalms and a eulogy(speech prasing the dead person).
What prayer in particular is said in Jewish mourning periods and why?
Kaddish, a prayer prasing God, is said so people focus on God at a time where they may feel far from him.
What is shiva?
The seven days following a burial, close family mourn during this time.
What does shiva look like for the close family of a loved one?
In Orthodox Judaism (and sometimes Progressive Judaism) the family wont leave the house. Not attend school, work or the synagogue. Other mourners will visit and help comfort the family, and also help to form a minyan for the Kaddish.
What lost loved one is particularly significant in Judaism and how is it diferrent to the usual mourning period?
The loss of a parent. The entire mourning period will last for a whole year, this is known as avelut. During this time there are restrictions, for example they wouldn’t be able to go to parties. They must say Kaddish every day for 11 months.
What is sheloshim?
Sheloshim is the normal thirty day mourning period after a loved one has died.
What is the Yahrzeit and what is done to commemorate it?
The Yahrzeit is the anniversary of the death of a loved one, to commemorate it Kaddish is said and a candle is lit for 24 hours to remember the deceased.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, it falls in September or October. It is time for Jews to consider any wrongdoing in the past year and what they intend to do better in the next.
What happens on the last day of the old year and what does it symbolise?
A shofar(ram’s horn) is blown. The shofar is a call for repentance and spritual reawakening.
What happens on the day of Rosh Hashanah?
No work is done(same as during Shabbat) and people spend most of the day in the synagogue. Prayers that describe God as judge and that ask for forgiveness are said. The Torah is read.
What is eaten during Rosh Hashanah and what does it symbolise?
Bread and apples dipped in honey are eaten to represent the hope for a sweet(pleasant) year to come.
What does God do during Rosh Hashanah?
He is believed to write peoples’ names in certain books based on how well they’ve lived the past year.
What are the three books in Rosh Hashanah?
The Book of Life is for the truly good, the intermediate book is for those who fall into the middle(most people) and the Book of Death is for the truly evil.
What are the days of awe?
They are the 10 days leading up to Yom Kippur. Those written in the intermediate book in Rosh Hashanah will have a chance to improve their actions and be written into the Book of Life.
What are three actions a Jew can take to be placed into the Book of Life?
- Teshuva, which means repentance or ‘turning back to God’.
- Prayer
- Good deeds/ charity –> Tzedakah
What is tashlich?
A ceremony at the end of Rosh Hashanah, a prayer to God is said to ask him to remove the sins of his people. Then, breadcrumbs are thrown into a river etc. nearby to represent their sins being cast away.
What is Yom Kippur?
It is the day of atonement and the holiest day of the year.
What is the purpose of Yom Kippur?
No work is done during Yom Kippur and it gives Jews a chance to ask God to forgive the sins they’ve committed over the past year.
What is done during Yom Kippur?
- It involves fasting for 25 hours, helps Jew focus on spiritual rather than physical matters.
- Washing, bathing, using cosmetics, wearing leather shoes and having sex are all forbidden on Yom Kippur.
- It is a mitzvah to attend all services in the synagogue during Yom Kippur.
- The next day is spent in the synagogue with readings from the Torah, prayers to confess sins and show repentance
- Day ends with a service on the Neilah, symbolising a final chance to repent as the gates of heaven are abut to close and the Book of Life will be sealed. The shofar is then blown to mark the end of Yom Kippur.
What is Pesach?
Pesach is a festival that commemorates the events leading up to the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt.
What does ‘Pesach’ mean in English?
It translates to ‘Passover’, referring to the night when the angel of death killed the Egyptians’ first-born sons but ‘passed over’ the Israelites.
How long does Pesach last?
Seven or eight days On the first night or first two nights, it’s celebrated with seder - a service and meal.
What does each food in the seder meal symbolise?
Karpas - a vegetable dipped in salt water - pain and tears caused by slavery.
Matzah - unleavened bread - Israelites didn’t have time to wait for bread to rise so they made unleavened bread before escaping - any leavened bread is called ‘chametz’ and can’t be eaten during Pesach.
Maror - bitter vegetable(usually horseradish) - bitterness of slavery
Baytsah - egg that’s hard-boiled and roasted - symbolises the sacrifice once offered in the temple
Z’roah - lamb bone - both this and the egg aren’t eaten - symbolises the lamb sacrificed on the night of Exodus
