Judaism Practices Flashcards
Star of David
Jewish symbol
Bimah
Podium or platform in the synagogue from which the Torah and prophets read from.
Aron hakadesh
Ark in synagogue, contains each torah scroll.
Ner tamid
A eternal flame that shines before the altar of sanctity in many Jewish places of worship
Tefflin
Small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah
Tallit
Fringed garment traditionally worn either under or over males clothing
Menorah
Nine branched candle lit during the eight day holiday Hakuna.
Kippah
Worn on the heads of jewish males.
Torah scrolls
The holiest book in judaism.
Shabbat
Starts on Friday evening and ends on Saturday evening.
It is also a time of rest.
Shabbat at home
All preparations take place before Shabat begins.
Wine is drunk from the kiddush cup to represent joy and to celebrate two loves of Hallah bread (sweet and rich) are laid on the table to represent manna from heaven food from heaven given by God to the Jews in the desert.
Kiddush cup
Blessings take place over the Kiddicott a prayer of Thanksgiving and blessing of the family
Worship in the home
Mezuzah- on the door post of the house its purpose is that it has a specific Hebrew first inscribed from the Torah.
Ceremonies associated with birth
Brit Milah- ceremony of male circumcision the removal of the foreskin for religious reasons.
Naming ceremonies-> Boys are named usually eight days after birth however ago the father announces her name is seven months after she was born in the synagogue.
Redemption of the first born-> some Jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of the first born son to redeem him from Temple service.
Bar mitzvar
- There is a massive party to celebrate.
- Practicing Hebrew so they can read from the Torah in the Synagogue to the congregation.
- Means ‘ son of commandment ‘
- Lessons to prepare.
- Taken place when a boy is 13 years old.
Bat Mizvah
- Massive party to celebrate.
- When they reach the age of 12 this ceremony happens.
- Means ‘ Daughter of commandment ‘.
Marriage
- Rings are exchanged.
- Takes place under a ‘Chuppa’.
- men and women celebrate separately.
- 7 blessings recited by the Rabbi.
- Groom smashes glass to show the power of the temple.
- Brethoval can take place a year after the wedding.
- betroval is like a legal contract that should not be broken.
- Some orthodox jews/ communities will find a ‘match maker’ to find suitable couples to marry.
Jewish mourning rituals
- Might tear their clothes to show that someone has passed away
- Funerals usually take place 24 hours after their death.
- Orthodox jews are buried in Jewish cemeteries.
- No flowers.
- Shiva is followed, intense mourning.
- Burning of seven day candle.
- After a year gravestone is put up. Stones on gravestone to show respect.
- The body is washed and wrapped symbolically.
- People say ‘ may God comfort you ‘.
Dietary laws
Rules that deal with foods permitted to be eaten, food preparations, food combination, the utensils and dishes coming into contact with food.
Kosher
Food that meets the requirements of Jewish laws.
E.g; fish that is scaled, fruit/ vegetables.
Trefah
Forbidden food.
E.g; Sea food, pork, cheese that has been declared Trefah.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
- Celebrating the new year.
How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?
- 2 day festival to celebrate the Jewish new year.
- Symbolic sweet food are eaten - apple + honey.
- Worship in synagogue. Shafar horn used. 100 blasts to wake people up.
- Time to reflect and think about what you have not done well from the past year.
- Eat fish heads (for luck and to get your head in the game).
- Bread crumbs thrown into pond- symbolise throwing away your sins.
- Big celebratory meal, sweet foods (cakes/breads).
- Concentrate on Charity.
Yom Kippur
-> the day of atonement; a day of fasting on the tenth fay after Rosh Hashanah.
Origins of Yom kippur?
- Holiest and most important day in the Jewish calendar.
- Origin comes from levictus 16, which describes how to must be observed.
‘You shall practice self denial… to cleanse you of all your sins’
Observing Yom Kippur in Britain today:
- No work is done.
- Jews fast for 25 hours
- Bathing, wearing leather shoes and sex are all forbidden.
- Jews wear white as a symbol of purity.
Pesach
- also called the passover is a festival that lasts for seven or eight days. It celebrates the Jews escape from slavery in Egypt.
- one of the most important parts of the festival is the passover Seder, which is a meal with special foods to represent different meanings, families share on the first evening of Pesach.
