Shabbat

Question 1

Why is Shabbat celebrated?

Answer 1

1. Proclaim their belief that God creates the world and then rested.
2. Fulfil the mitzvot about Shabbat.
3. Spend time in worship or prayer.
4. Think about how God intends life to be like

Question 2

What do Orthodox Jews not do on Shabbat?

Answer 2

1. They do not cook on Saturday.
2. They do not turn on the lights.
3. They do not drive cars.

Question 3

How is Shabbat celebrated in the home?

Answer 3

1. Meal begins and between the courses the parents tell Bible stories.
2. Father recites Kiddush over wine. Wine symbolises sweetness of the day.
3. Father cuts the bread and dips in salt. Recalls sacrifice at the Temple, which were dipped in salt.

Question 4

How is Shabbat celebrated in the synagogue?

Answer 4

1. Go to synagogue for morning prayer. Sefer Torah is taken out of the ark and carried to the Bimah.
2. For Liberal synagogues, prayers are said in English.
3. In the afternoon prayers, a short part of next weeks sidra is read.

Question 5

Why is Shabbat important for the individual Jewish person?

Answer 5

1. A chance for spiritual nourishment.
2. Opportunity to socialise outside the demands and pressures and work.
3. Provides time for a person to think about God and find out more about their faith.

Question 6

Why Shabbat is important for the Jewish community?

Answer 6

1. Celebrated since the creation of the world. Important for the community to keep it going.
2. God’s gift to Jewish people, this binds them together.
3. It reminds Jews of when they were slaves and refrained from work as a sign of freedom. “remember that you were slaves.”

Question 7

SOWAAs

Answer 7

1. “Keep the Sabbath day holy”
2. “shall not do any work.”
3. “must be cut off from their people.”