Judaism - Practices Flashcards
What is a synagogue?
A building for jewish public prayer,study and gathering
What is a minyan?
A group of at least 10 adults:minimum number of jews required for a jewish religious service
What is a menorah?
A many branched candle that holds either seven or nine candles
What is the star of david?
A symbol of judaism said to represent the shield of king david , who ruled Israel in the 10th century
What is the bimah?
A platform in a synagogue from where the torah is read
What is the aron hakodesh?
The ark- the holiest part of the synagogue which contains the torah scrolls
What is the rabbi?
A jewish leader and teacher
What is the ner tamid?
Eternal light; a light that is kept burning in the synagogue above the ark
Who are orthodox jews?
Jews who emphasiee the importsncd 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
What is a reform jew?
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
What is a cantor?
A person who leader or chants prayers in a synagogue
What is the tallit?
A prayer shawl
What is the teffilfin?
A small leather box containing extracts from the torah , strapped to the wearers arm and forehead for morning prayers
What is the amidah?
Also known as the standing prayer , it is central prayer of jewish worhsip
What is shabbat?
Jewish holy day of the week ; a day of spiritual renewal starting shortly before the sunset on Friday an continuing to sunset on Saturday
What is the tenakh?
The 24 books of jewish scriptures
What is the torah?
1) five books revealed by God to moses
2) the first section of the tenakh(jewish bible) and the jewish written law
What is the Nevi’im?
The second section of the tenakh; the prophets
What is the ketuvim?
Third section of the tenakh; the writings
What is the Mishnah?
The first written version of jewish oral law; part of the talmud
What is the gemara?
A commentary by the rabbis on the torah - it consists of the mishnah and Gemara together in one collection
What is the talmud?
A commentary by the rabbis on the torah - it consist of the Mishnah and Gemara together in one collection
What are rituals?
Religious ceremonies that are performed according to a set pattern
What is brit milah?
A ceremony of male circumcision ; the removal of the foreskin for religious reaosns
What is a bad mitzvah?
Celebration of a boy coming of age at 13! Literally ‘son pf the commandment’
What is the bat mitzvah?
Celebration of a girl coming of age at 12 , in reform synagogues ; literally ‘ duaghterof the commandment ‘
What is marriage?
A legal union between a man and a woman (or in some countries including the uk , two people of the same sex) as partners in a relationship.
What is mourning?
A period of time spent remembering a person who has died
What is the shiva?
An intense period of mourning that lasts for seven days
What is the kaddish?
A prayer said by jewish mourners that praises god and ask for peace
What is dietary laws?
Rules that deal with foods permitted to be eaten, food preparation , food combinations and the utensils and dishes coming into contact with food.
What is kosher?
Food that meets the requirements of jewish law
What is trefah?
Food that jews are forbidden to eat , means ‘torn’
What is rosh hashannah?
The jewish new year
What is yom kippur?
The day of atonement ; a day of fasting on the tenth day after rosh hashannah
What is pesach?
(Passover), festival in remembrance of jewish exodus from egypt that is celebrated in spring
