Judaism - Synagogue

Question 1

what is a Synagogue

Answer 1

Jewish place of worship, it is Greek for assembly

Question 2

what is Shabbat

Answer 2

it is the Jewish holy day

Question 3

what is in a Synagogue
(9)

Answer 3

Ark - containing Torah Scrolls
Ner Tamid - Eternal light
Rabbi’s seat
Amud/lectern
Menorah/Hanukkah
Hazzan’s seat
Bimah - reading desk
Women’s gallery - up stairs
Men’s gallery - down stairs

Question 4

What does the Ark contain and what does it look like

Answer 4

the ark contains Torah scrolls and it is a cupboard at the front of the meeting hall, the doors are usually covered by curtains

Question 5

what is the Ner Tamid/ what does it mean

Answer 5

Eternal light

Question 6

what is the Bimah

Answer 6

Reading desk, it is only used to read the Torah

Question 7

what is the Menorah/Hanukkiah

Answer 7

Seven or nine branched candle

Question 8

what is the Yad and what is it used for

Answer 8

the Yad is a stick with a hand shaped ending used to read the Torah scrolls

Question 9

what is a Rabbi and what is their role in the Synagogue

Answer 9

Rabbi means teacher
Rabbi is the name given to the person who teaches the Torah

Question 10

what is Hazzan and what is their role in the Synagogue

Answer 10

Hazzan means singer
The Hazzan leads prayers and hymns

Question 11

what is the Amud/Lectern

Answer 11

it is a smaller desk used by the Hazzan and Rabbi when they are leading the service to keep their notes

Question 12

what are the 4 main things the Synagogue is used for

Answer 12

• worship
• learning
• community
• celebration/festivals/Rites of Passage

Question 13

what about the Synagogue shows the significance that is placed on community and family + Hebrew name and meaning

Answer 13

the Synagogue often contains kitchens, meeting rooms, spaces for children, etc. to facilitate the community gathering together

• Beit Knesset is Hebrew for House of Gathering

Question 14

why is the Synagogue an important place for learning
+ Hebrew word and meaning

Answer 14

• there are many opportunities to learn abt Jewish history and scriptures
• children need to learn how to read the Torah (which is in Jewish) for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah
• Beit Midrash is Hebrew for House of Learning

Question 15

what is the meaning of Orthodox Judaism

Answer 15

Jewish communities who try to stick to the laws laid out in the Torah, they do not change or adapt the laws

Question 16

what is the meaning of Reform Judaism

Answer 16

Jewish communities who adapt the law of the Torah more to fit with modern society

Question 17

what is the Minyan

Answer 17

a group of 10 adult Jew who have gone through their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they perform many of the prayers that take place in the Synagogue

Question 18

what is the order of the Synagogue service

Answer 18

• Introductory prayer
• Barechu
• Reciting the Shema
• Amidah
• Reading of The Torah
• Concluding prayers

Question 19

what is the Siddur

Answer 19

it is the Jewish prayer book

Question 20

what is the shema

Answer 20

declaration of faith

Question 21

what is the Amidah

Answer 21

standing prayer

Question 22

what are the different names for the synagogue and what are their meanings

Answer 22

Beit Knesset - house of gathering
Shul/ Beit midrash - house of learning
Beit Tefilla - house of prayer