Judaism Practices V2 Flashcards
What is a synagogue
Used primarily as a place to worship but also can be used to strengthen a community (education, prayer, charity)
The symbolism of star of David
The symbolism of Judaism
What is the Ark
Ten commandmnets
Bimah
Menorah
Ner Tamid
Staines glass window
Gallery symbolise or is used for
Ark-Cupboard that houses the Torah scrolls – the most important feature in the synagogue
Ten commandments-These decorate the Ark, reminding Jews of their most important rules
Bimah-Platform in the centre of the synagogue. The Torah scrolls are read from here.
The Menorah - A seven-branched candlestick – representing each day of God’s creation
Ner Tamid - a lamp that symbolises eternal light. Always - always burning. It shows God is always present
Stained glass windows -Show important symbols of faith
The Gallery - In Orthodox synagogues the seating area upstairs is just for women.
Orthodox worships
Redorm worships in synagogues
Orthodox:
• Daily services
• Services in Hebrew
• Rabbi has his back to the congregation
• Men & women sit separately
• Congregation may arrive late
• Men always cover their heads
• Singing is unaccompanied
Reform:
• Services only on Shabbat & festivals (not daily)
• Services in Hebrew and English
• Rabbi faces congregation
• Men & women sit together
• Shorter, structured services
• Most men wear a kippah (and some women)
• Singing is accompanied by music
• Women perform all rituals … can be a rabbi, publicly read the Torah etc
The importance of a synangogue
Prayer : Daily services , Celebration of
festivals , Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and marriages etc.
Study: Learn Hebrew (used in prayer) , Prepare for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs , Library to improve knowledge of Jewish faith
Charity: Place to collect money/items for the poor , Holds fundraising events e.g. for World Jewish , Relief/natural disasters
Socialising: Youth clubs , Senior citizen clubs , Music and drama groups/Sports groups
What is a kippah,tallit and tefillin
Kippah- use this to cover their heads to respect God
Tallit- woolen shawl shows the man is obeying God’s laws each fringe symbolises one of the 613 mitzvot
Tefillin- two leather boxes worn on the upper left arm and forehead. Each contain the shema and show that the person loves God with their heart and mind
What is minyan
the minimum number of males (10) required to constitute a representative “community of Israel” for liturgical purposes
“Whenever ten are gathered for prayer the Shekhinah is there”-The Talmud
Format of services in orthodox synagogues
1) opening prayers
2) Shema
3) Amidah
4) Final prayer
What is the amidah
Central prayer of Jewish worship. Prayed in silence while standing in the face of Jerusalem. Includes a series of blessings and thanksgivings
Aim/importance of prayer
• Communicate with God
• Become closer to God
• Focus your heart, mind and soul on God
• Strengthen the sense of Jewish community
What is shabbat
The Jewish holy day – Sabbath. From sunset on Friday
until sunset on Saturday every week
A day to celebrate creation with the family “keep the a Sabbath day holy”
Leviticus 16:30 - Atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins
How do Jews worship at home
• Jews worship God whenever they can
• Their house reminds them to obey God’s commandment
• The mezuzah- a small box containing verses
from the Torah is fixed to a doorpost
Explain shabbat in the synagogue
- Every Friday evening there is a prayer service in the synagogue (stories, games, music)
- A further service in the synagogue on Saturday morning includes a reading from the Torah.
- While the Torah is being read the congregation stand to remind them that the Israelites stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai when Moses returned with the Ten Commandments.
- The Torah scrolls are then paraded around the synagogue – giving people the opportunity to be close to God’s word.
- Many touch the Torah with their tassels on their tallit and touch their lips - Gods word is on their lips
“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” - Exodus: 20
Explain shabbat in the home
• The house and meal are prepared - clean clothes.
• Wine and two loaves of challah bread are placed on the table
• A female member of the family lights two candles before sunset
• She then welcomes in Shabbat by waving her arms around the candles and covers her eyes to say a blessing and prayer
• Many go to the evening service in the synagogue
• Once home, there is a family meal - Kiddush blessings are said
• On Saturday morning the family may attend another service in the synagogue
• Afterwards, time is spent as a family - Torah may be studied
• When 3 stars are seen in the sky Shabbat has finished
What stages of life are celebrated by Jews and what cermonjes are associated with birth
Birth , coming of age, marriage and death
Naming cermemony , brit milah and redemption of the firstborn son
What is brit Milah
Brit Milah-circumcision ceremony – when a boy is eight days old
“From now on you must circumcise every baby boy
when he is eight days old….this will show that there
is a covenant between you and me’ (Genesis 17:12)
What is the Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Bar mitzvah (son of the commandment):
• When boy is aged 13
• Reads from Torah during a service
• Wears a tallit for the first time
• Makes a short speech
• The boy’s father declares he is now responsible for his own actions
• Usually followed by a party
Bat mitzavah (daughter of the commandments):
• Reform girls have a Bat Mitzvah
• Girl reads from the Torah
• Girl gives a speech
• Usually followed by a party
What happens during a Jewish marriage
- Engagement (betrothal– usually lasts a year)
- Wedding
- The betrothal ceremony takes place under chuppah (canopy) - symbolising their home. Rings exchanged
- Marriage contract signed (hopes for marriage)
- Marriage ceremony – blessings recited, short speech from rabbi, groom breaks a glass
- Wedding reception – music and dancing
What happens during mourning for the dead
There are four periods of mourning
- The family do not have to follow certain Jewish laws (24 hours)
- Shiva - intense 7 days of mourning, from burial. Do not work, stay home and say prayers 3 times a day. ( No make up worn, no shaving, no hair-cuts; mirrors are covered so as not to focus on appearance)
3)30 days after death normal life resumes. No music , parties or cutting any hair
4)11 months do not attend parties , children say blessing for parents
How do Jews conduct a funeral service
Body is washed and wrapped in a cloth and tallit (men)
Place in a simple coffin to show equality in death
Funeral take place in a cemetery :prayers , psalms , readings from scriptures and speech from a rabbi
After service everyone wases their hand (leaving death)
Tombstone must be placed on the grave to remember the person -pebbles left my visitors
What is kosher and trefah
Kosher= food that Jews are allowed go eat
Trefah= food that Jews are not allowed to eat
Jewish dietary laws 1 and 2
Rule 1- “You are allowed to eat … anything which has a completely split hoof and chews the cud….” (Leviticus 11:2-3)
Rule 2 -dairy “you shall not boil a kid in its mother’s
milk’ (Exodus 23:19)
Jewish dietary laws 3 and 4
Rule 3 -A fully kosher household may have two sets of pots, pans and dishes: one for meat and one for dairy (or colour coded).
Rule 4 -Have its throat slit by a trained Jew (so it does not suffer)
• Have the blood drained from it before it is eaten
‘…do not partake of the blood’ Deuteronomy 12:23)
Modern Jews should forget old laws and eat what they want provide point for both agree and disagree
Agree:
• It should be an individual’s decision
• It is inconvenient restricted to Kosher restaurants
• cannot have dinner with non-Jewish friends
• There is no logical reason for the laws
Disagree:
• The covenant – it is Jews’ duty to obey God
• Obeying the rules shows love for God
• It shows the uniqueness of Jews
• It is the Jewish tradition
• It’s healthy
What is Rosh Hashanah and what happens
Jewish new year to remeber God’s creation - anniversary day God created humans
God judges people based on actions in the past year
Meals similar to Shabbat- rams horn blown 100 times
What is Yom Kippur
Day of atonement God finalised judgement
Day spent in the synagogue focused on forgiveness
25 hour fast , do not work , bath , wear leather and no sex
What happens during the 10 days of awe
God’s judgement can be influenced by actions during the festival so they try to make up for their wrongdoings and seek forgiveness e.g. through prayer and doing acts of charity
What is pesach
Celebrates the Jew’s escape from slavery which lasts for eight days
Remembers the final plague killing the firstborn Egyptian son but passed over the Jewish houses
What is eaten during the seder meal and what does it symbolise
Wine symbolises joy and freedom - drunk 4 time to remember God primises freesom to the Israelites 4 times
Parsley dipped in water -reminds Jews of the sweat and tears of the slaves (salt water) , parsley symbolises fresh start
Matzah (unleavened bread)- reminds Jews the speed in which they left Egypt
Bitter herbs- eaten to symbolises the bitter suffering of slaves
Charoset - sweet taste symbolises freedom
Roasted egg- new life offered by God (not eaten)
Lamb bone -symbol of sacrifice and how the Israelites survived
What is the importance of pesach
• It celebrates that Jews are God’s chosen people – God has fulfilled the covenant
• To thank God for saving them
• To help Jews empathise with those who still live under oppresion
• To experience the freedom that their ancestors gained
• To ensure Jewish faith and traditions are passed on to future generations
