Judiasm Practices Flashcards
What does a synagogue provide for Jews?
- a space for Jews to meet and take part in a wide range of activities
What does the synagogue form?
- the centre of the Jewish religious community
What are the signs of a synagogue?
- a menorah (many branched candlestick)
- the Star of David ( a six pointed star that represents king David, who ruled Israel in the tenht centuary)
What do Orthodox Jews normally call the synagogue? What does it mean?
- ‘shul’
- means school
What do reform Jews call the synagogue? What does it reference?
- ‘temple’
- in reference to the temple in Jerusalem
A synagogue strengthens the Jewish community. What are the four main uses of the synagogue?
- education
— the synagogue helps to educate Jews of all ages in their faith
— provide classes in Hebrew for young Jews - Worship and prayer
— the synagogue provides a spaces for worship and communal prayer
— although Jews can pray anywhere, certain prayers are only to be said in the presence of a minyan (a group of at least 10 adults) - social activities
— most synagogues host a variety of activities for children, teenagers and adults in their social hall - charitable events
— the synagogue helps Jews to donate their time and money to charity
What is the prayer hall?
- the room in the synagogue where Jews come together for communal worship and prayer
What are the three features of the prayer hall?
- The ark (Aron Hakodesh)
- The ever burning light (ner tamid)
- the reading platform (bimah)
What is the significance of the Aron Hakodesh in the prayer hall?
- its the ark
- the holiest place in the synagogue
- represents the original Ark of the covenant. The first ark was built to hold the stone tablets that contained the Ten Commandments, which god gave to Moses
- by climbing up the steps to reach the ark (in the prayer hall), Jews are reminded that god is above his people and the sacred Torah is above humanity
What is the significance of the Ner Tamid?
- the ever burning light
- symbolises gods presence, so is never put out
- a reminder of the menorah (eight branched candlestick) that was lit ever night in the temple of Jerusalem
What is the signigificance of the bimah?
- the reading platform
- provides a focal point when the Torah is needing read, making it easier for the congregation to see the reader and hear what is being said
What do Orthodox Jews belive about the roles of men and women?
- they should have different roles
- for instance all orthodox rabbis are males
Which one is the tradition branch of Judaism and which one is the type of progressive Judaism, orthodox and reform?
- orthodox — traditional branch
- reform — type of progressive Judaism
What do reform Jews emphasise the importance of?
- individual choice in deciding how to worship and practice the faith
What do reform Jews belive about the Torah?
- it was written by humans but inspired by god
What do reform Jews belive about men and women?
- they should be able to undertake the same roles
What do Orthodox Jews strictly emphasise?
- following the laws in the Torah
Give the qualities/characteristics/nature of orthodox services.
- daily services
- service in Hebrew
- person leading service faces the ark
- men and women seated separately
- men wear a kippah
- women wear a hat or scarf
- all singing is unaccompanied
Give the qualities/characteristics/nature of reform services.
- do not hold daily services (instead the focus is on celebrating Shabbat and festivals)
- Hebrew and English
- person leading service mostly faces congregation
- men and women sit together
- men wear a kippah, and some women too
- singing may be accompanied by musical instruments
Who are services in the synagogue led by?
- a rabbi
- a cantor
- a member of the congregation
What’s a tallit?
- a prayer shawl made from wool or silk
- a long tassel is attached to each corner
What’s the significance of a tallit?
- reminds Jews they are obeying gods word whenever they wear it
- the tassels on it represent the four most important of the Ten Commandments
What are tefillin?
- a pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah
- one is fastened round the forehead
- one is wound around the upper arm in line with the heart
What is the significance of the tefiliin?
- reminds Jews that there mind should be concentrating fully in god when they pray
- their prayers should come from their heart
Who wear the tallit and the tefillin?
- orthodox men
- and some reform Jews
When are prayer services held in orthodox synagogues?
- morning, afternoon and evening
What are the parts of Jewish services?
- the opening prayers are said
- the shema is recited (a Jewish prayer)
- the amidah is said (standing prayer)
- reading of the Torah
- final prayers are said
The Amidah consist of a series of blessings. What are they?
- the first three blessings praise god and ask for his mercy
- the middle thirteen blessings ask for gods help
- the final three blessings thank god for the opportunity to serve him ad pray for peace, goodness, kindness and compassion
What are the four reasons prayer is important to Jews?
- it helps them to remember what their faith is all about
- communal prayer strengthens the Jewish community
- its a way to communicate with god
- it brings Jews closer to god
What is the Shabbat?
- the Jewish holy day of the week
- it is a day of rest and renewal
When is the Shabbat?
- starts just before sunset on Friday and continues to sunset on Saturday
What quote tells Jews that god commanded Jews to celebrate the Shabbat?
- ‘remember the sabbath day and keep it holy’
For Jews, the Shabbat is a time to celebrate the what of god? What does it recall?
- the creation of god
- it recalls the genesis creation story in which god created everything in six days and rested on the seventh
The Shabbat can also be seen as a time to celebrate that god has kept his promises in what?
-n the covenant of Sinai
- otherwise known as the covenant between god and the Jews
What are the services held in the synagogue for Shabbat?
- brief service on Friday evening
- the main service on Saturday mourning
- sometimes an extra service for families with children
During the main service on Saturday, what happens before the reading of the Torah? And what is the importance of each step?
- the congregation stands when the ark is opened to reveal Torah scrolls. (This is a reminder of how the Jews stood at the bottoms of Mount Sinai when Moses returned with the Ten Commandments)
- the Torah is taken from the ark and dressed with a cover and various ornaments. (This is a m=reminder of the vestments worn by priests in early judiasm)
- the Torah is held in front of the congregation while the versus from scripture are chanted, it is then paraded around the synagogue. (This represents the march through the wilderness, when Jews carried the original ark from mount sinai to Jerusalem)
- many Jews touch it with their prayer shaw/their prayer book and then touch their lips. (This recalls scripture which tells Jews that gods words should be on their lips, and sweet like honey)
What things need to be done beforehand at home in order to make the Shabbat a special occasion?
- cleaning the house
- preparing the food
- any other preparations
In the home, how is the start of Shabbat marked?
- the lighting of the candles
What is the main Shabbat celebration in the home?
- the Friday evening meal, which allows the family to relax and enjoy each others company
During Shabbat in the home, two loaves of challah bread are placed on the table. What is the significance of this?
- represent the food that god provided for the Jews on Shabbat while they were wandering in the wilderness
Are people allowed to work during shabbat?
- no, most types of work aren’t allowed, as stated in the fourth commandment
During Shabbat in the home, what is the significance of winds or grape juice in the kiddish cup?
- drinking Shabbat wine symbolises joy and celebration
After lighting the candles, what does a female member of the family do?
- says a prayer asking god to bless the family
What do the parents do before the family meal in Friday?
- bless their children