Judaism Practices RS GCSE Flashcards
What is a synagogue
a building of Jewish public prayer, study and gathering
What are the three alternate names for a synagogue
beit knesset (House of assembly)
beit tefillah (House of prayer)
Shul (School)
What shape are most synagogues
rectangular, but they can be any shape and size
What are two common symbols to mark the outside of a synagogue
menorah, star of david
Why are there no images of humans or animals in synagogues
the 2nd commandment forbids making and worshipping idols of humans or animals
Why do some Reform Jews call synagogues ‘Temples’
because they consider the synagogue as a replacement for the Temple of Jerusalem
Why is the synagogue important for Jews
it is the centre of the Jewish religious community
WHat is the Hebrew name for a house of study
beit midrash
What are some things that happen inside the synagogue (6)
- classes related to learning Hebrew or about the Jewish faith
- libraries for adults to improve their knowledge
- social halls, like a town hall, for events and gatherings, religious and non-religious
- festivals and rites of passage e.g. Bar Mitzvahs
- venue for collecting money or other items to be distributed to the needy
- clubs for the public
How is the prayer hall in a synagogue designed
seats on three sides facing the bimah
- fourth wall has the Aron Hakodesh
- has a seat for the rabbi and a pulpit from where sermons are delivered
Why is the Aron Hakodesh regarded the holiest place in the synagogue (2)
- it is where the Torah scrolls are kept
- represents the original ark of the covenant
Why do Jews believe the original ark was created
- Where was this eventually taken
to hold the stone tablets which contained the 10 commandments
- taken to Jerusalem and placed in the temple
Which wall of the synagogue is the Aron Hakodesh set into
- Which wall is this for British synagogues
wall facing Jerusalem
- Eastern Wall
Why is the Aron Hakodesh usually reached by climbing up steps
as a reminder that God is above his people and the sacred Torah is above humanity
When is the Aron Hakodesh opened
- what is done to it the remainder of the time
during special prayers and when removing the Torah to read during services
- covered with a curtain known as the Parochet
Where is the Ner Tamid placed in a synagogue
in front of, and slightly above the Aron Hakodesh
Why is the Ner Tamid never put out
- What is it a reminder of
because it symbolises God’s eternal presence
- the menorah lit every night in the Temple of Jerusalem
When is the Bimah used
used when reading from the Torah and often by the person leading services
What are the two main groups of Jews in Britain today
Orthodox and Reform Jews
What is Reform Judaism an example of
Progressive Judaism
How often are Jews expected to pray
three times a day
In Orthodox synagogues,
- seating
- what way is the leader facing
- language
- singing
- head coverings
- men and women are seated separately
- facing the Ark - same way as the congregation
- Hebrew
- unaccompanied
- all men cover their heads when in the synagogue, married women cover their heads too
Why do Orthodox men and women sit separately in the synagogue
avoids distractions or sexual thoughts and enables the focus to be on the prayers and coming close to God
Why do Jews cover their heads when in the synagogue (2)
- sign of respect and fear for God
- shows that the worshipper recognises God is above humankind
In Reform Synagogues
- how often are services
- is the leader male or female
- what way do they face
- length of services
- language
- singing
- head coverings
- not daily, but instead for celebrating Shabbat and festivals
- male or female
- towards the congregation
- shorter than Orthodox, but more rigidly structured
- Hebrew and the country’s language
- may be accompanied
- most men and some women wear kippahs or hats
When is the tallit worn
during morning prayers
When is the tefillin worn
on weekdays
What is a tefillin
a small leather box containing extracts from the Torah, strapped to the wearer’s arm and forehead for morning prayers
Why is prayer extremely important to Jews
they believe that it builds the relationship between God and humankind
Where are daily prayers taken from
siddur
What is the Shema
- What does it begin with
- what is it accompanied with
Jewish statement of belief
- Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One
- blessings said before and after
How many prayers are in the Amidah
- What are each of them about
- 19
- first three praise God
- Middle thirteen blessings are prayers of petition and intercession: six personal requests, six requests for the community, one request that God accept the prayers
- Final three thank God for the opportunity to serve him and pray for peace, goodness, kindness and compassion
What is the closing Aleinu prayer
prayer recited at the end of each of the three daily services and gives praise and thanks to God
Why do Jews believe prayer is important
- vital for communicating with God
- enables them to focus their heart, mid and soul on God
- helps them find new insights into their relationship with God
- helps them to remember what their faith is all about
- strengthens the sense of Jewish community
What time does Shabbat start and End
just before sunset each friday until one hour after sunset on Saturday
What sort of things are not allowed to be done on Shabbat
eat, clean, drive
Why is Shabbat celebrated
as a reminder of the covenant between God and the Jewish people
- to rejoice that God has kept his promises
Where does the idea of Shabbat come from
the Genesis story that God created everything in 6 days and rested on the 7th
What happens in the Friday service, just before Shabbat
the prayer leader takes a cup of wine and recites a blessing (kiddush) thanking God for having given Shabbat to the Jewish people
What happens on the Saturday Shabbat service
prayers, blessings, a reading from the Torah and often a sermon. the Torah reading is split into sections so that all five books of Moses are completed in a year
What does the congregation do when the Ark is opened
- Why
They stand
- as a reminder of how the Israelites stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai when Moses received the 10 commandments
What happens to the Torah on Saturday services in the synagogue
the ark is opened, the Torah is taken and the congregation chants Numbers 10:35. the Torah is taken and covered in various ornaments such as a breastplate or crown
It is held in front of the congregation while verses from the scripture are chanted.
it is then paraded around the synagogue
Why is the Torah paraded around the synagogue
- represents the march through the wilderness when the Jews carried the Holy Ark from Mount Sinai to Jerusalem
- gives the congregation an opportunity to be close to the Torah
What is the sidra
- What happens after this is read on Shabbat
the reading for the day
- the Torah is paraded around the synagogue
- the rabbi or a speaker gives a sermon
What is the main part of the Friday night meal before Shabbat
- lighting the candle
- the meal is eaten
- head of house breaks challah and distributed
What two things are always consumed on the Friday meal before Shabbat
- wine / grape juice
- challah bread
What marks the end of Shabbat
- at what point is this performed
the Havdalah service
- when three stars can be seen in the night
How often are prayers said by Jews
three times a day
What does the tenakh consist of
- how many books
24 books
- Torah - 5 books
- Neviim - 8 books
- Ketuvim - 11 books
Who wrote down the Mishnah
- When
Rabbi Judah Ha’Nasi
- 200 CE
