Judaism Practices Flashcards
What can the synagouge be used for
The synagouge can be used for charitable events,social activities education and prayer and worship
What happens in the synagouge in terms of prayer and worship
- The synagouge provides a space for communal worship and prayer
- There are many services in the synagouge for communal prayer as some prayers can only be said in the presence of the minyan (10 people)
What does the synagouge help to do in terms of education
- The synagouge provides a space to educate jews of all ages about their faith
- There are lessons for younger jews about hebrew as it is the language in which the prayer services are
- Most synagagouges also have a vast library so older jews can deepen their understanding of the faith and learn more about scriptures
What sort of social events does the synagouge hold
- The synagouge holds a place for a wide range of activities for all age ranges
- It also provides a space to discuss matters important to the community
What does the synagouge do in terms of charity
- The synagouge helps Jews to donate their time and money to charity
- The synagouge also runs charity events to help the less fortunate
- The synagouge also collects money and resources for those in need
What is the prayer hall
The prayer hall is a room where Jews gather for communal prayer , it is rectangular in shape and has seats on three sides , facing towards the vocal point of the synagouge : the arc in the middle of the synagouge
What is the arc in the synagouge
The arc is an ornamental cabinet where the torah scrolls are kept. It is situated in the wall facing jerusalem and has two stone tablets on top which have the ten commandments written on them. There are steps up to the arc
What is the significance of the arc
- The arc is the holiest place in the synagouge
- It represents the original arc of the covenant which held the ten commandments given to Moses by God
- By climbing up the stairs to the Arc Jews are reminded of the fact that God is above his people and that the sacred torah is above humanity
What is the ever burning light (ner tamid)
The ever burning light is a light placed above and slightly in front on the arc
-It was traditionally an oil lamp but now most Synagouges use an electric light
What is the significance of the ner tamid
- It symbolises Gods presence so is never put out
- It is a reminder of the menorah that was lit every night outside the temple in Jerusalem
What is the bimah
- The bimah is a raised platform situated in most synagouges in the centre of the prayer hall
- It is where the torah is read from during the service
What is the significance of the bimah
- The bimah provides a focal point for the torah so that the congregation can see the reader and hear what is being said
- It also provides a reminder of the altar which was in the old courtyard of the temple in Jerusalem
What are the features of orthodox judaism
- Orthodox judaism is the more traditional branch of judaism. They emphasises the importance of strictly following the torah as it was directly given to moses by God so should be followed as closely as possible
- Orthodoz Jews believe that men and women have different roles
What are the features of reform judaism
- Reform judaism is a more progressive type of judaism. They emphasis the need for choice when practicing faith and worshipping God.They belive that the torah was inspired by God but written by humans so it can be adapted for modern times
- They believe that men and women should be able to have equal roles in Judaism
What are some features of Orthodox services
- There are usually daily services in orthodox judaism
- The services themselves are usually in hebrew
- The rabbi usually has his back to the congregation so he is facing the arc
- Men cover their heads with a skull cap to show their respect for God and how they recognise that he is above humanity
- Men and women sit seperatley
What are the features of a reform service
- Reform Jews do not hold daily services and the focus is more on celebrating shabbat along with other services
- Men and women sit together during reform services
- The services are usually held in hebrew and the own language of the country that the service is happening in
- The services are shorter than orthodox services and the rabbi faces teh congregation most of the time
What is a tallit
A tallit is a long prayer shawl made out of wool or silk
It has 613 tassels attached to it
What is the significance of the tallit
- The tallit reminds Jews that they are obeying Gods word whenever they wear it
- The 613 tassels represent the 613 mitzvot
What are the tefillin and where are they placed
The tefillin are a pair of small leather boxes that contain the words of the torah including some of the words of the shema
One is fastened to the centre of the forehead and the other is fastened to the upper arm , in line with the heart
What is the significance of the tefillin
-The tefillin reminds jews that their mind should be fully foccused on God during prayer and that their prayers should come from the heart
What is the format of a Jewish prayer service
- The opening prayers are first said which praise and thank God
- The shema is then recited
- The amidah (standing prayer) is then said
- The amidah is followed by a reading from the Torah before the final prayers are said which consist of the alinue which is a prayer that thanks and praises God
What is the amidah
The Amidah is the central part of Jewish worship. It is prayed in silence facing Jerusalem
- The first three prayers are prayers praising God and asking for his mercy
- The middle thirteen prayers are prayers asking for Gods help
- The final three prayers are prayers thanking God for the opportunity to serve him and asking for peace,kindness,Goodness and compassion
Why is prayer important for Jews
Prayer is important as it
- Helps Jews to remeber what their faith is all about
- It is a way to communicate with God
- Communal prayer helps to strengthen the Jewish community
- It helps Jews build a greater relationship with God
What objects do Jews have in the house to remind them of God
- Jews have mezozot attatched to the doorposts of their doors. The mezuzah are small little boxes that contain a handwritten scroll with some handwritten verses from the torah in. Jews touch the mezuzah as they go into their house as a sign of respect to God and to remind them to obey Gods laws
- Jews also have their kitchen set out in a way that reminds them to follow the dietary laws
What is the Tenakh
The Tenakh is the written law: it is the Jewish sacred scripture. It is split into 3 main parts
- The torah: the first five books of moses which form the basis of Jewish law
- The Nevi’im: eight books that expand upon the torah and explore Jewish history
- The ketuvim: eleven books that consist of poems,stories and advice and more
What is the talmud
The talmud is a commentary of the Torah by early rabbis. The talmud dicuss and teach on how to interpret the bible and apply it in everyday life
What are the the two main parts of the Talmud
- The Misnah: This was a commentary by early rabbi Rabbi Judah Ha’Nasi
- Ha’Nasi wrote down the oral law. These were the early teachings on how to interperet the bible that had been passed down through generations by word of mouth. Ha’Nasi wrote them down so they couldnt be altered or misinterpreted
- The Gemana: A series of discussions about the Misnah
What do the Torah and Talmud mean for Orthodox Jews
For Orthodox Jews the Torah and Talmud are the source of all Jewish laws,Jewish legal teachings and desicions that affect their everday live
-For this reason Orthodox Jews study them intensley and may even take classes and lectures to deepen their knowledge
What are the Reform Jews views on the Torah and Talmud
Reform Jews do not regard the Torah and Talmud with such great importance and may not study them as much
Where do the Jewish dietary laws originate from
The jewish laws originate from passages in the bible such as leviticus and deuteronomy
They catergorise food into acceptable (kosher) and unacceptable (trefah)
What do Orthodox Jews believe about the dietary laws
Orthodox Jews follow the dietary laws very strictly as they belive the laws are a test from God to test their obedience and self control. They believe the laws mark out Jewish people as different from others
What do reform jews believe about the laws
Reform Jews believe that the laws are outdated for modern british society and it is up to the person personally if they decide to follow them or not
What is the process animals must go through before being eaten
- Animals have to be slaughtered using a very sharp knife by a trained jew
- The animal has to be still consious when killed
- All blood must be drained from the animal as Jews are forbidden from eating animals that still contain blood
What is another very important dietary law that Orthodox Jews must follow
Jews must keep meat and milk seperate and not eat meat and milk within hours of each other. This comes from the command in exodus “you shall not boil a kid in its mothers milk”
-This means that most Jews end up having two seperate sinks and food preparation areas as well as utensils so that meat and milk can be kept seperatly
What is Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah remembers Gods creation of the world and is also a day of Judgement for Jews
-Many Jews believe that on this day God judges Jews on their actions over the past year and decides on their fate for the next year
How do Jews influence Gods judgement during Rosh Hashanah
Jews believe Gods judgement can be influence during the festival so they try and improve his overall judgement
-They may do this by praying,doing charity work and atoning for any sins that they may have commited over the past year
How do Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah in the home
- Jews first make preparations similar to those made on shabbat
- They then share a festive meal filled with symbolic food such as apples dipped in honey to symbolise the hope for a sweet new year
How do Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah in the synagouge
- In the evening service in the synagouge, prayers are said asking for God to continue to be king of the world for the year to come
- In the morning a rams horn is blown over 100 times
- Then special prayers are said in a longer service
What is Yom kippur
- Yom kippur is known as the day of atonement and it is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar
- Jews believe it is the day when Gods judgement on their future is finalised so it is the last chance to repent for any sins
How is Yom kippur observed in the synagouge
- On Yom Kippur Jews spend most of their day in the synagouge
- They focus on asking God to forgive their sins so that they can develop a stronger realtionship with him
- Jews also take part in a communal sin confession where the general sins of the community are said
- In the final part of the service Jews are given one last chance to repent for any sins before the arc doors are closed to symbolise that Gods decision is finalised
What are other rutuals Jews follow on Yom Kippur
- Jews wear white as a symbol of purity
- During Yom Kippur Jews fast for 25 hours and do no work
- Bathing , wearing leather shoes and sex are all forbidden
What does Pesach celebrate
Pesach celebrates Jews escape from slavery in Egypt and in particular the last plague that God sent that killed all the firstborn children which convinced the Pharoah to let the Jews go from Egypt
Why is celebrating pesach important
Celebrating pesach is important because it reminds Jews of their escape from slavery.It is a time at which Jews thank God for their redemption and pray for others who are still suffering from opression
What is the most important preparation for Pesach
The most important preparation for Jews for pesach is removing all leaven bread from their home to remeber how Jews did not even have time to wait for their bread to rise before escaping from slavery
How is pesach celebrated
Pesach is celebrated with a special meal of a seder plate and red wine
What does the red wine at the seder meal symbolise
The red wine represents the lambs blodd Jewish families smeared on their doors to protect their children from the final plague.
Four glasses of red wine are blessed and shared to represent the four freedoms god promised Jews in exodus
What are the items on the seder plate and what do they symbolise
Green vegetables-Represent the new life Jews were given in the promised land
Salt water - represents the tears shed during slavery
Bitter herbs -respresents the bitterness of slavery
Egg and bone-Represnt the sacrifices Jews made in the temple in Jerusalem
Sweet charoset- represents the mortar Jews had to use when they were slaves and how life is much sweeter now
