The synagogue and festivals

Question 1

Why is the reading of the Torah important on festivals and Sabbath?

Answer 1

• because it can only take part in the synagogue

- even largely secularised Jews will attend the synagogue

Question 2

How long does the morning service of Rosh Hashanah last?

Answer 2

• lasts 4-6 hours

Question 3

What follows Rosh Hashanah?

Answer 3

Yom Kippur - synagogue is very well attended

Question 4

“observed not only by the pious…”

Answer 4

“and the holy but by those who never act religiously in the rest of their lives.”

Philo of Alexandria

Question 5

What does attendance at synagogue in festival time allow?

Answer 5

Allows wider Jewish community to meet together and strengthen their bonds

Question 6

What is Simchat Torah?

Answer 6

• a festival celebrated in Orthodox synagogues

- the day in which final reading of Torah is completed and then immediately restarted to show how the Torah never ends

Question 7

“the joyous nature of this festival makes…”

Answer 7

“it spill over into the home and even the street.”

De Lange