practices Flashcards
What is a kippah and why do people wear it
A skullcap-sign of respect
What are some different names for a synagogue
Orthodox Jews often call it that the “Shul “ - meaning school
Reform Jews call it the “temple” - referring to the temple in Jerusalem
What is a tallit and what does the fringes represent
Prayer shawl. fringes represents 613 mitzvots
What is the bimah
The platform in the middle where the Torah is read
What is the significance of the bimah
Provides a focal point where the torah is being read come on make it easier for the congregation to see the reader and hear what is being said
To some Jews it is a reminder that the water was the central feature of the courtyard in the temple in Jerusalem
What is the Ark - (Aron Hakodesh)
An ornamental cupboard or container with the Torah scrolls are kept
Situated at the front of the synagogue usually set into the wall facing Jerusalem
You really reached by climbing up some steps
There are usually two stone tablets placed above the Ark on which the start of each of the 10 Commandments are written
What is the menorah and what does it represent
Candle stick holder with seven candles in it-symbolises the seven days of creation
What is the significance of the Ark - ( Aron Hakodesh)
The holiest place in the synagogue
Represents the original Ark of the covenant.
The first ark was taken to Jerusalem and placed in the temple built by King Solomon
Today when they faced the Ark in the synagogue they face the city where the temple Once stood
By climbing up the steps to reach the Ark Jews are reminded that God is above his people and the sacred Torah is above humanity
What is the ner tamid
The Eternal light
A light that is placed in front of and slightly above the Ark
Traditionally an oil lamp but most synagogues now use electric lights now
What is the significance of the ner tamid
Symbolises gods presence so it is never put out
A reminder of the Menorah that was lit every night in the temple in Jerusalem
What happens to the Torah before it is read
It is taken around the synagogue so all can be closer to God
What is an yad and why is it used
A hand so that the Torah doesn’t get damaged
What is a minyan
A group of at least 10 adults the minimum number of Jews required for a religious service
What is a tefillin and why do they wear it
Black box-the Jews where the Torah on their arms and forehead to show love to God and that their hearts and minds are focused on God
How is a synagogue a place of worship and prayer
Provides a space for worship and communal prayers
Services are regularly held in the synagogue for Jews to pray and worship together
How is a synagogue a place of education
Educate the jews of all ages in their faith
May provide classes in Hebrew for young Jews to help them learn the language used in Jewish prayer
synagogues have a library that helps all the Jews to continue improving their understanding of the faith and its Scriptures
How is a synagogue a place of socialising
Hosts a variety of activities for children and teenagers and adults in their social hall
Youth club, music or drama groups
A place to discuss matters that are important to the community
How is a synagogue a place of charity work
Help students to donate their time and money to charity
Often hold events to raise money for charity
What’s the worship like in an orthodox synagogue
Back to the congregation
Singing is accompanied
Late arrivals catch up at their own pace
Some cover their heads at all times
What’s the worship like in an reform synagogue
Men and women sit together
They use music
In English and Hebrew
Shorter service
When do prayer services happen in a orthodox synagogue
In the morning afternoon and evening
What does the prayer service consist off
Opening prayers
Shema
Readings
Amidah
Final prayers (praise and thanks to God)
What is the Amindah
“Standing prayers “is said. This is the central prayer for Jewish worship and on a weekday it forms the core of all Jewish prayer services. It is prayed in silence while standing on faceing Jerusalem
What is the amidah split into
It consists of 19 blessings
First 3 are praising God and asking for his mercy
The next 13 are asking for gods help
Thanking God and praying for peace, goodness and kindness are the final 3
Why is the Amidah important to jews
It is communication with God
It brings you closer to God
It brings the Jewish community together
What is Shabbat
A gift from God of a day of rest and renewal
It is the time to relax and rest, worship God and enjoy family life
A time to celebrate that God has kept his promise in the covenant between God and jews
Keeping the fourth commandment- keep the sabbath holy
what happens at the Shabbat service
Some synagogues hold a service during shabbat for family with children
The main service is on Saturday morning. This service is longer than the weekday prayer services
After the reading the Torah Scrolls are dressed and paraded around the synagogue again and placed back in the Ark
Rabbi gives a sermon
What happens before the reading is given at the shabbat service
Congregation stands when the Ark is opened - reminds of how the Jews did at the bottom of the mountain when Moses received 10 Commandments
Torah is held in front of the congregation while versus our chaunted then paraded around the synagogue - represents the march through the wilderness when Jews carried the original Ark
Torah passes through the synagogue many touch it with their prayer books or the tassles on their prayer shawl and then touch their lips - tells Jews and cons word should be on the lips and sweet like honey
How is shabbat prepared for in the home
All work is done and the home is prepared before shabbat begins on Friday evening
At least two candles are placed on the table-represents the two commandments of “remember “and “observe “ sabbath
Two loaves of Challa bread are placed on the table - represent the food that God provided for the Jews on shabbat while wondering the wardens
Wine or grape juice is placed on the table in a Kiddush cup - represents joy and celebration
What happens at the shabbat celebrations
Shabbat is welcomed through the lighting of the candles-
A female member of the family light the candles
She waved her arms around the candle, then covers the eyes to say a blessing
She also says a prayer asking God to bless the family
The family share a special meal before the Friday evening service -
Before the meal, the parents bless the children and the head of the household recites the kiddush blessing while holding the kiddush cup
Bread is blessed and passed around so everyone has a piece
The meal might last for a few hours, giving the family time to relax and enjoy each other’s company
Meal ends with a prayer of Thanksgiving for food
What is the havdalah service
This is the end of Shabat
It is performed at home after the Sun has set
Blessings are performed over a a cup of wine, sweet smelling spices and a candle with several wicks
The spices and candle are believed to soothe and bring light to the house after shabbat is over
What is worship in the home like
Do use are defected to pray three times a day. They traditionally stand to pray and if they are alone they pray silently
Jews are also reminded of God in their homes for example many Jewish homes have one or more small boxes that contain a hand written scroll of verses from the Torah
How did jews study the sacred writings
Orthodox Jews, the Torah and the talmud are considered to be the source of all Jewish law, legal teachings and decisions that affect their daily lives
For this reason they are studied extensively by orthodox Jews, who may attend classes and lectures to develop their understanding
Reform Jews do not regard the Torah and talmud with the same absolute authority and may not study much of it
What are the three ceremonies associated with both
Naming ceremony
Brit milah
Redemption of the firstborn son
What happened at the naming ceremony
Boys and girls born into orthodox families are blessed in the synagogue at the first Shabbat after the birth
Father recites the Torah blessing and ask God for good health of his wife and baby
A baby girl’s name will be announced at this point and a baby boy’s name will be announced after their circumcision
What happens at the Brit Milah
Happens when a baby boy is eight days old
Baby is placed on an empty chair-represents the presence of prophet Elijah
A trained Circumciser picks up the baby and places him on the knees of the person given the honour of being “the companion of the child “
A blessing is said over wine and the baby is formally named
The baby is circumcised in a simple operation that heals quickly
What is the Redemption of the firstborn son
Some orthodox Jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of their first born son to redeem him from Temple services
Five silver coins are given to a descendent of the priests who used to work in the temple
What’s the significance of the Bar and bat mitzvah
It is when Jews become an adult
Preparing carefully for it British Jews closer to God and the community
It is when a Jewish boy is allowed to become part of the minyan
When they do is expected to start strictly following Jewish law and takes full responsibility for doing so
How did you celebrate Bar mitzvah
First opportunity after their 13th birthday, the boy read from the Torah at the normal service in the synagogue. Many synagogues hold classes to prepare the boys for this occasion
The boy wears a tallit for the first time, May lead part of the service-read from the Torah or saying prayers-and make a short speech
Thanks from the father to God and declared he is now responsible for his own actions
After the service there is often an celebratory meal or party where the boy receives gifts
How did you celebrate Bar mitzvah
Reform Jewish God often have a bat mitzvah ceremony and celebrations are similar to bar mitzvahs
The girl read from the Torah, gives a short speech, and may lead part of the service in the synagogue
In Orthodox bat mitzvahs the girl reads a poem
Celebrate with a meal or party
What are the two parts of a Jewish marriage
The betrothal
The marriage ceremony
What happens at the betrothal
Betrothal refers to the period of time before the wedding ceremony and the couple are engaged to each other. Traditionally last for 12 months
Has a legal status in Jewish law and can only be broken by death or divorce
During the year the couple do not live together but they do prepare for their future lives together
What happened at the wedding
Takes place in synagogue or in a venue such as hotel, on any day except Shabbat or a festival
Before the wedding
the couple my fast before the wedding to cleanse themselves of sin and come to the wedding with the right attitude
The betrayal ceremony
The bride joins the green underneath the canopyWhich symbolises the couples home. The bride and groom recite 2 blessings over wine and in orthodox wedding the green place is a plain ring on the brides finger. Reform couplesExchange rings
The marriage contract
The marriage contract is signed in the presence of witnesses then read out and given to the bride. Orthodox Jews this covers aspects such as the husbands duty to his wife, the conditions of inheritance upon his death and how he will provide for his wife if they get divorced. Reform Jews, the marriage contract focuses on spiritual aspects. Often describes hopes for the marriage, same for the husband and wife
The marriage itself
seven wedding blessings are reciting. The rabbi makes a short speech And bless the couple. The groom breaks a glass under his heel to show regret for The destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Good luck from the congregation
The wedding reception
The couple spend a short time together in a private room to symbolise there new status as a married couple. The wedding reception follows that includes music and dancing
What are the periods of mourning
When the death is announced
The first period of morning
The second period of morning - shiva
The third period of morning
What happens when the death is announced
When jews first hear of the death of a close family member they make a small tear in the Clothes
Jews say blessings that refer to God as the true judge, which shows they accept gods decision to take the persons life
What happens in the first period of mourning
Most Jews are buried as soon as after death as possible, usually within the first 24 hours
Until then Jews believe the deceased’s soul should be comforted and supported by family members because it does not fully leave the person until they are buried
I do not have to follow certain Jewish laws close family only
What happens in the second period of mourning - shiva
Shiva is an intensive period of mourning the loss of seven days, starts on the day of the burial
Mourners do not work but stay at home and hold the prayer services three times a day
One of the prayers said is the kaddush, Which praises God and asks for peace
Mourners do not wear make up, shave or cut their hair, mirrors are covered up so mourners don’t focus on their appearance
What happens in the third period of mourning
This begins after shiva and lost until 30 days of the persons death
Normal life resumes but mourners do not listen to music, go to parties, shave or cut their hair
Male mourners say the kaddish daily in the synagogue
What happens in the fourth period of mourning - shiva
This last for 11 months
Mourners do not attend parties
Children continue to say the kaddish for a parent who has died
What happened at the funeral
Most Jews are buried
The body is washed and wrapped in a linen cloth (and tallit for men)
Takes place in the cemetery (synagogues-a place for the living)
During the service there are prayers, torah reading and a speech by the rabbi
Afterwards, everyone washes their hands to show they are leaving death behind
Tombstone must be placed on the grave to remember the person
Visitors often placed a small stone to show they have visited
What is the first rule of Jewish dietary laws
Certain types of food cannot be eaten
Land animals
No food with shells
“you are allowed to eat anything which has a complete split hoof and chows the cud”
What is the Second rule of Jewish dietary laws
Do not mix meat with dairy
“you shall not boil a kid in its mothers milk “
What is the Third rule of Jewish dietary laws
You must keep a kosher kitchen
A fully kosher household may have two sets of pots, pans and dishes - one for meat and one for dairy
What is the Final rule of Jewish dietary laws
Animals must be killed according to Jewish law. it must
Be healthy
Have its throat slit by a trained jew. It must not suffer
Have the blood drained from it before it is eaten
“do not partake of the blood”
What are the origins of pasach
Celebrating Jews escape from slavery in Egypt remembers
the final plague that god Sent
What are the preparations made pesach
The most important preparation is to remove leaven from the house - Reminders of how they did not have time to let the bread rise when they escape from Egypt
Some firstborn males fast before pesach starts in thanksgiving for their ancestors escape from death
What’s the importance of pasach
It celebrates the Jews are gods chosen people-God has filled the covenant
To thank God for saving them
To help them fill empathy with those who still live under oppression/slavery
It insures Jewish traditions are passed onto future generations
What is the Seder meal
On the first day of pasach, family celebrate with a special meal called the Passover Seder
What are the items involved in the Passover Seder
Red wine
A reminder of the Lambs blood that Jesus made on their door post to save the children from the last page.
unleavened bread
This fulfils gods command to celebrate the escape from Egypt by eating unleavened bread for seven days each year.
Seder plate
What is on the seder plate
Green vegetables to be dipped in salt water -
Green vegetable symbolise new life in the promised land, Salt water represents the tears shed in slavery
2 bitter herbs -
Represents the bitterness of slavery
An egg and a lamb bone -
The egg and lamb bone or reminders of sacrifices made in the Temple of Jerusalem
What is Rosh Hashanah
Remembers gods creation of the world
Day of judgement
Jews believe God weighs up and judges a persons action over the past year deciding whether they’re future will be like in the years to come
What happens during Rosh Hashanah
Jews believe gods judgement can be influenced by their behaviour during the festival so they try to take action to improve gods judgement
The evening Rosh Hashanah starts families share a festive meal with symbolic foods for example apple dipped in honey symbolising hope for a sweet New Year
What is Yom Kippur
Young kipper, known as the day of atonement is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar
Jews believe gods judgement is finalised on this day, so it is the last chance to repent for any sins
What do people do on yom kippur
Many Jews spend much of Yom Kippur in the synagogue
Focus on asking God to forgive their sins
During the final service Jews are given one last chance to confess their sins. The doors of the Ark are then closed, showing that gods judgement is now sealed
They were white as a symbol of purity
Bathing, wearing leather shoes and having sex are also forbidden
