Judaism Practices Flashcards
synagogue
A building for Jewish public prayer, study and gathering
Minyan
A group of at least 10 adults; the minimum number of Jews required for a Jewish religious service
Menorah
A many-branched candlestick that holds either seven or nine candles
star of David (Magen David)
A symbol of Judaism said to represent the shield of King David, who ruled Israel in the 10th century BCE
Bimah
A platform in a synagogue from where the Torah is read
Aron Hakodesh
The Ark- the holiest part of the synagogue which contains the Torah scrolls
Rabbi
A Jewish religious leader and teacher
Ner Tamid
Eternal light; a light that is kept burning in the synagogue above the Ark
Orthodox Jews
Jews who emphasise the importance of following the laws and guidance in the Torah; they believe the Torah was given directly by God to Moses, so should be followed as closely as possible
Reform Jews
Jews who believe the laws and guidance in the Torah can be adapted for modern times; they believe the Torah was inspired by God but written by humans, so can be interpreted according to the times
Cantor (chazzan)
A person who leads or chants prayers in the synagogue
Tallit
A prayer shawl
Tefillin
Small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah, strapped to the wearer’s arm and forehead for morning prayers
Amidah
Also known as the ‘standing prayer’, it is the central prayer for Jewish worship
Shabbat
The Jewish holy day of the week; a day of spiritual renewal starting shortly before sunset on Friday and continuing to sunset on Saturday
Tenakh
The 24 books of Jewish scriptures
Torah
- The five books of Moses, which form the first section of the Tenakh 2. The Jewish written law
Nevi’im
The second section of the Tenakh; the prophets
Ketuvim
The third section of the Tenakh; the writings
Mishnah
The first written version if Jewish oral law l; part if the Talmud
Gemara
A commentary on the Mishnah; part of the Talmud
Talmud
A commentary by rabbis on the Torah- it consists of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year
Trefah
Food that Jews are forbidden to eat; means ‘torn’
Rituals
religious ceremonies that are performed according to a set pattern
Brit milah
ceremony of male circumcision; the removal of the foreskin for religious reasons
bar mitzvah
celebration of a boy coming of age at 13; literally ‘son of the commandment’
Bat mitzvah
celebration of a girl coming of age at 12;literally ‘daughter of the commandment’
marriage
a legal union between a man and a woman (in some countries 2 people of the same gender) as partners in a relationship
mourning
a period of time spent remembering a person who has died
Shiva
an intense period of mourning that last for 7 days
kaddish
a prayer said by Jewish mourners that praises God and asks for peace
dietary laws
rules that deal with foods permitted to be eaten, food preparation, food combination, and the utensils and dishes coming into contact with food
kosher
food that meets the requirements of Jewish laws
Yom Kippur
the day of atonement; a day of fasting on the 10th day of Rosh Hashanah
Pesach
festival in remembrance of the Jewish exodus from Egypt that is celebrated in spring
