Judaism - Practises

Question 1

Synagogue

Answer 1

Building for jewish public prayer, study and gathering

Question 2

Minyan

Answer 2

A group of at least 10 adults; the minimum number of jews required for aa Jewish religious service

Question 3

Menorah

Answer 3

A many branched candle stick that holds either seven or nine candles

Question 4

Star of David

Answer 4

A symbol or Judaism said to represent the shield of the king David, who ruled Israel in the tenth century BCE

Question 5

Bimah

Answer 5

A platform in the synagogue from where the torah is read

Question 6

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 6

The ark - the holiest part of the synagogue, which contains the torah scrolls

Question 7

Rabbi

Answer 7

A jewish religious leader and teacher

Question 8

Ner tamid

Answer 8

Eternal light; a light that is kept burning synagogue above the ark

Question 9

Orthodox Jew

Answer 9

Jews who emphasise the importance of following the jewish laws and guidance in the torah. They believe the torah was given directly to Moses by God, so should be followed as closely as possible

Question 10

Reform jews

Answer 10

Jews who believe the laws and guidance in the torah can be adapted to modern life; they believe the torah was inspired by god but written by humans, so can be interpreted according to the times

Question 11

Cantor (chazzan)

Answer 11

A person who leads or chants prayers in the synagogue

Question 12

Tallit

Answer 12

A prayer shawl

Question 13

Tefillin

Answer 13

Small leather boxes containing extract from the torah, strapped to the wearer’s arm and forehead for morning prayers

Question 14

Amidah

Answer 14

The ‘standing prayer’, it is the central prayer of jewish worship

Question 15

Tenakh

Answer 15

24 books of jewish scriptures

Question 16

Nevi’im

Answer 16

The second section of the tenakh; the prophets

Question 17

Ketuvim

Answer 17

The third section of the tenakh; the writings

Question 18

Mishnah

Answer 18

The first written version of jewish oral law; part of the talmud

Question 19

Gemara

Answer 19

A commentary on the mishnah

Question 20

Brit Milah

Answer 20

Ceremony of male circumcision

Question 21

Bar mitzvah

Answer 21

Celebration of a boy coming of age at 13; ‘son of the commandment’

Question 22

Bat mitzvah

Answer 22

Celebration of a girl coming of age at 12, ‘daughter of the commandment’

Question 23

Marriage

Answer 23

A legal union between a man and a woman as partners in a relationship

Question 24

Mourning

Answer 24

A period of time spent remembering a person who has died

Question 25

Shiva

Answer 25

An intense period of mourning that lasts for seven days

Question 26

Kaddish

Answer 26

A prayer said by jewish mourners, that praises god and asks for peace

Question 27

Dietary laws

Answer 27

Laws that deal with foods permitted to be eaten, food preparation, food combinations, and the utensils and dishes coming into contact with food

Question 28

Rosh hashanah

Answer 28

The Jewish new year

Question 29

Yom kippur

Answer 29

A day of atonement; a day of fasting on the tenth day after rosh Hashanah

Question 30

Pesach (passover)

Answer 30

Festival in remembrance of the jewish exodus from Egypt that is celebrated in Spring