Judaism topic 2 Flashcards
(36 cards)
Explain Orthodox rites of passage for boys.
Brit Milah - Circumcision ceremony to remind Jews or God’s covenant. Takes place 8 days after the birth at home or in a synagogue by a Mohel.
Bar Mitzvah - Means son of the commandment. The coming of age ceremony at 13 where the boy is now expected to obey all of the Mitzvot. Will often be followed by a celebratory meal and will attend Torah school to prapare.
Explain rites of passage for Orthodox girls.
Naming - Named on the first occasion where the father comes to the Synagogue. Occurs after the Torah reading + the congregation will throw sweets at the father
Bat Chayil - Means woman of valour. They do not believe in Bar Mitzvah as women are not included in the mitzvot. Occurs after her 12th birthday + the girl will attend synagogue and talk on a Jewish topic
Explain Reform rites of passage for boys.
Brit Milah - Similar to Orthodox but Mohels may be female.
Bar Mitzvah - Similar to Orthodox but may not wear a Tefillin
Explain Reform rites of passage for girls.
Brit Ha-hayim - Means covenant of life. The baby is brought to the Synagogue in a cloth bag = united with the Jewish community. Special readings take place + the baby is dipped into a mikveh and her feet are washed.
Bat mitzvah - Means daughter of the Commandment. Same ideas as Bar Mitzvah - own responsibilities for actions. Will include readings from the Torah and Hebrew prayers.
Explain Orthodox marriage ceremonies.
Includes two ceremonies:
1. Kiddushin - means ‘sanctification’. The betrothal ceremony which binds the couple but does not allow for consumation. When the man gives the woman a ring, the ketubah is signed outlining the mans obligations.
2: Nissuin - The couple stand under the Huppah = symbol of new home. The couple share a cup of wine and the man recites the Sheva Brachot.
Includes
- Man breaking a glass under his foot = destruction of temple
- Modest wedding dress
- Dancing if often essential
Explain Orthodox customs in death.
- There is a ritual of cutting someone’s clothing
- A Shiva (week of mourning) begins where the Kaddish is recited 3x a day
- Burial is necessary for resurrection and happens within three days
- The body is cleaned in a mikveh and wrapped in a Tallit (a Tziztzit will be cut = no longer have to obey the Mitzvot )
Explain reform customs in Marriage.
- Men and women seated together
- Less strict on men and women socialising before marriage
- Conducted in local language
- Equality = both exchange rings and circle each other to show the man does not own his wife
- Ceremony could be conducted by a woman + women can make speeches
- Could wear strapless
How does Reform Jews differ from Orthodox in death.
- More open to cremation (Cheaper)
- Less strict in Shiva
Define the following:
a) Kashrut
b) Kosher
c) Terefah
d) Shecita
e) Shocet
f) Pareve
a) Jewish dietry laws
b) Foods which may be eaten by Jews who observe Kashrut
c) Non- Kosher food
d) Kosher slaughter of animals
e) Trained Kosher slaughterer
f) foods which do not contain meat or milk
What types of animals are allowed to be eaten?
- Animals that chew the cud and have a cloven hoof
- Fish with scales and fins
- Domesticated birds/ poultry
- Insects
What quote do Jews interpret as to not mix meat and milk?
‘Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother’s milk’ from Deuteronomy ch.14 v.21
How must animals be slaughtered and why?
The throat must be cut with a very sharp knife to be quick and painless, to remove as much blood as possible.
The animal must be salted or soaked to remove more blood.
Explain why Orthodox Jews usually eat at home or in a Kosher restaurant.
The food and cooking utensils must be certified as kosher
How may a Jewish kitchen be different from a non- Jewish kitchen?
Separate washers, utensils and kitchens for meat and milk.
Give one good and bad reason for banning Shecita.
Good - could be seen as cruel if animals are conscious or the slaughter is botched
Bad - could be seen as discrimination.
How would attitudes of Reform Jews (kosher) differ to Orthodox?
The Torah is more open to interpretation, may be more flexible in restaurants and with utensils. Shecita may be unnecessary.
What are ritual and ethical mitzvot?
Ritual - behaviours toward God
Ethical - The rights and wrongs of people’s behaviour
What is the Talmud?
‘Whoever destroys a life, it is considered as if he destroys an entire World. And whoever saves a life it is considered as if he saved an entire world’
What is the meaning of the Talmud?
Saving human life can override the mitzvot. Human life is holy to God.
When is Shabbat?
Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
Why are Jews not allowed to work on Shabbat?
- In the ten commandments it is described as a day of rest
- God rested on the Sabbath
What does ‘work’ include?
- Household chores
- Paid employment
- Actively using electrical equipment
What happens in Kabbalat Shabbat?
Just before sundown on Shabbat, at least two candles are lit to ‘welcome Shabbat angels into the home’. Done by the woman = privilege.
What happens in Kiddush?
A blessing is sung (by the man of the house) over a full cup of wine.
- Passed around the family as a symbol of joy.
