Judaism - Significant Practices in the Life of Adherents Flashcards
lanie
why are synagogue services important in Judaism?
- assists Jewish adherents in fulfilling the commandment to be faithful to God
- chance to connect with God
what are the three central prayers in synagogue services in Judaism?
- The Shema
- Shemoneh Esrei (Amida)
- Aleinu
what is the Shema?
a prayer that encapsulates the monotheistic essence of Judaism
“Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is one” (Deut 6:4)
what is the Shemoneh Esrei?
- Amida
- central prayer of the service
- refers to the 18 blessings
- praising God, offering requests and expressing gratitude
what is the Aleinu?
- found in the Siddur
- recited standing up –> expresses noble sentiments
- closing prayer in all services
“it is upon us or it is our obligation or duty to praise God”
how many synagogue services in a day?
three!
what are the three synagogue services in a day?
- Shacharit (morning)
- Mincha (afternoon)
- Ma’ariv (evening)
what does Shacharit involve?
- begins with a series of blessings
- thanking God for basic needs
- reciting of P’sukai d’Zimra (blessings, psalms), the Shema, and the Amidah
- men wear a prayer shawl
- Torah readings occur on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- follows tradition of Abraham
“Abraham arose early in the morning” (Gen 22:3)
what does Mincha involve?
- extremely brief service
- Torah readings on Shabbat
- recital of Shemoneh Esrei
- follows tradition of Isaac
“Issac went out meditating in the field toward evening.” (Gen 24:63)
what does Ma’ariv involve?
- shortest service
- way of expressing devotion
- traditional melodies
- follows tradition of Jacob
“He came upon a place and stopped there for the night” (Gen 28)
what are the physical elements of the synagogue?
- The Ark
- Ner Tamid
- Bimah
- Menorah
- The Torah Scrolls
- No Statues, Images or Icons
- Tallit Katan/Tzitzit
- Yarmulke (Kippah/Skull Cap)
- Tefillin
what is the symbolism of the ark in a synagogue?
- where the Torah scrolls are kept
- during prayer, the congregation face the Ark
- built facing Jerusalem –> unites Jewish congregations, emphasis on the centrality of Israel
what is the symbolism of the Ner Tamid in a synagogue?
- light is a religious symbol of hope
- is suspended above the Ark
- continuously burning
- is NOT allowed to go out
- symbolises God’s continual presence
“God is our light.” (Psalm 27:1)
what is the symbolism of the Bimah in a synagogue?
- raised platform where the Torah is read
- Rabbi will use a gold pointer to read the Torah
- central location recalls the centrality of the Tabernacle
- emphasis on the democracy of Judaism
what is the symbolism of the Menorah in a synagogue?
- seven-branched candle
- lit daily
- alludes to branches of human knowledge
- represents being guided by the light God –> central lamp
- symbolises the creation in seven days –> central lamp is the Sabbath