practices: jewish festivals Flashcards
why are jewish festivals considered a great event in jewish history?
provide an opportunity to build a relationship with god
build jewish identity as families and communities come together
origin of rosh hashanah:
1. what is it?
2. what does it mean?
3. what is this festival a time for?
4. what do jewish people evaluate, ask and make?
5. what is a also a time to recall?
- jewish new year
- means head
- it is a time for jews to think about what they have done right and wrong over the past year and to look forward to the year ahead
- evaluate their behaviour, ask for forgiveness and make plans for the year ahead
- time to recall the story of creation in genesis and celebrate belief in gods as creator
how is rosh hashanah celebrated?
1. in homes, what do they drink?
2. what do they eat?
3. what does the challah represent?
4. how many times is the shofar horn blown?
5. what is shofar made from?
6. why is it blown?
7. what does the noise of the horn represent?
8. what is the tashlikh?
9. why are crumbs from the challah thrown into the water?
- wine is blessed
- slices of apple dipped in honey are eaten
- challah (bread) represents the cycle of the year
- shofar horn is blown 100 times
- shofar is made from the horn of a ram
- blown to announce holidays
- the noise of horn represents the soul crying out to god
- will say special prayers at a stream or river called ‘tashlikh’ (casting away)
- crumbs from the challah are thrown into the water which represents the sins thrown away
next 10 days, what do jews try to make up?
for actions they regret and plan ways to which they can live a better life
what do jews believe that god will do?
god will not forgive unless a person asks for forgiveness
why is rosh hashanah important?
1. why is it important?
2. what does it celebrate?
3. what does the book of genesis teach?
4. source of authority
- it is the celebration of the jewish jew year
- celebrate god creating the world
- book of genesis teaches that god created the worlds in 6 days and on the 7th, god rested
- “in the beginning god created the heavens and the earth”
why is rosh hashanah important?
1. why is it important along with yom kippur?
2. what does this mean then?
3. what does it give the opportunity to do what?
4. why is it joyous?
5. what do they celebrate?
6. why is it serious?
- along with Yom Kippur, it is looked upon as being one of judaism’s high holy days
- meaning it should be celebrated by all jews above all others
- gives them the opportunity to spend 10 days planning how they are going to live a better life throughout the year ahead
- it is joyous because families can celebrate the new year togherher
- celebrate the world that god created
- it is serious because ir provides an opportunity to reflect on the previous year and plan
what will most orthodox jews consider?
consider ways in which they can fulfil the covenant and be observant to the torah and mitzvot
when does yom kippur start?
comes 10 days after rosh hashanah
what is yom kippur considered as?
the holiest day of the year
what is yom kippur known as?
‘day of atonement’ which means it is the day when jews ask god for forgiveness
origin of yom kippur:
1. what does it date back?
2. why would they visit the temple?
3. where is the holy holies contained?
4. why was it open?
- dates back to the time of temple and the early jewish community
- would visit the temple in jerusalem to offer a small sacrifice to god to atone (seek forgiveness)
- the holy of holies is contained in the original torah
- given to moses by god, it was open so that sacrifice and prayers could be offered directly to god
how is yom kippur celebrated?
1. why is yom kippur not the best way to celebrate?
2. how can god be fair and compassionate?
3. what must all jews do as it is the holiest day of the year?
4. what must they wear?
5. what will many do?
6. what do they do during prayers?
7. what symbolises god’s presence?
- it should not be celebrated because it is a holy and solemn (serious and sacred) day
- believes that if they are truly sorry for their sinful actions, god will be fair and compassionate and forgive them
- all jews must attended the synagogue as it is the holiest day of the year
- must wear white clothing
- many will spend a large part of the day in the synagogue in prayer and reflection
- during prayers, people quietly ask god for forgiveness
- the door of the holy ark - aron kadesh are open to symbolise god’s presence
what must jews for 25 hours?
day of fasting
go without:
food, perfume, alcohol, sexual activity, wearing leather shoes
where do jews visit on the day before yom kippur?
a mikveh (a poor of natural water) for spiritual cleaning
what rule applies on Yom Kippur?
shabbat: no work
pikuach refresh applies if you are ill or to young: no fasting
what are all jews expected to do?
attend the synagogue on this day and seek forgiveness for their sins
why is Yom Kippur important?
referred to as the ‘sabbath of sabbaths’
torah commands it “the tenth day is the day of atonement. hold a scared assembly and deny themselves, and present an offering to the lord”