Topic 8 Flashcards
1
Q
How do Jews worship God?
A
Through prayer, daily life and actions, studying
2
Q
Why do Jews worship In public?
A
- Praising and loving God
- Uniting a community using similar prayers
- It is an obligation and fundamental Jewish teaching
- So say certain prayers that can only be said in the synagogue
3
Q
What is a Jewish worship in a synagogue like?
A
- Jews are expected to worship 3 times a day
- in orthodox synagogues prayers are said in Hebrew however in modern they are said quicker and not only in Hebrew
- women will be separate from men in orthodox
- synagogue worship can occur on special festivals
4
Q
Why do synagogue worship important?
A
- to come together to pray in a minyan and community
- united by saying the same prayers and following the same faith requirements
- praising God as ordered in the Torah, declaration of faith. They do this 3 times a day
5
Q
What is the Tenakh?
A
- made up of the Torah, nevium and Ketuvim
- basis of holy texts and traditions making up the Jewish bible
- modern Jews believe the Torah is just a human creation but traditional that it is the word of god given to Moses
6
Q
What is the Talmud?
A
- equivalent of the Catholic CCC
- rabbi written texts from centuries ago that come from Moses for traditional Jews but just a human creation for modern Jews
- oral law which is an instruction for learning
- interprets scripture for Jews today and can be applied to situations
7
Q
What is the Tenakh important?
A
- used in Jewish worship in the synagogue and also daily living
- the whole of the Torah is read each year and once a week in synagogues
8
Q
Why is the Talmud important?
A
- Talmud explains the 613 mitzvots and how they should be applied.
- for traditional Jews it is central and believed to attain eternal life.
- for modern Jews it is important but not essential yet they still study it
9
Q
Outline 3 Jewish food laws?
A
- can’t eat pig and birds of prey but can eat sheep, cow, goat, and chicken
- animals must be killed in a humane way and must be checked
- can’t mix meat and milk
10
Q
Why do Jews follow food laws (kosher)?
A
- practical way of living a holy life as God commanded as said in the Torah
- it keeps God as a focus point in the preparation and eating if food which is a critical part of daily life
- good for health as it is pure
- sense of unity and identity
11
Q
What are drawbacks of Jewish food laws?
A
- expensive as often have to buy multiple appliances to keep meat and dairy separate
- poses a challenge in public as not all restaurant cater for kosher
- at Passover Jews will deepclean the house so there is no yeast, this is stressful and time consuming
12
Q
When do Jews pray at home?
A
- The kiddish before meals
- 3 times a day especially in the morning, evening and noon
- pray as a family on the Shabbat
- when entering a house Jews will tough a mezuzah
13
Q
What items are used for prayer?
A
- Tefillin, strip around the arm and tallit which is a prayer shawl
- the formal prayers Jews pray are found in the siddur
14
Q
Why is prayer at the home important?
A
- more personal
- becomes central to family life
- pray together on the sabbath as a community as god commanded
15
Q
Why is private personal prayer important?
A
- means the command to pray is being followed
- means that God is central in the heart and mind and the relationship between is constantly being reflected upon
16
Q
Why is set formal prayer important?
A
- makes a set schedule at a regular time in the day
- means one is praying for certain reasons such as the kiddush used for praise
- revise fundamental beliefs helping to understand their faith more
17
Q
How and when is the Sheema said?
A
- said in the evening, morning and noon giving a regular prayer schedular integrating it into modern everyday life
- Jews will cover their eyes to block out distractions and mitigate the world around them to focus wholly on Hod
- men will wear a tefillin and tallit to aid prayer and as a sign of their faith
18
Q
How and when is the amidah said?
A
- said in the synagogue 3 times a day or if not at home privately
- it is said by taking 3 steps forward at the start and 3 back at the end whilst standing and facing Jerusalem
- it has 3 prayer sections:praise, petitions and thanks-fulfilling what is required of Jewish rabbis
19
Q
Why is the sheema important?
A
- emphasises the oneness of God and therefore key qualities
- the belief that God will give blessings to those who serve God as by listening to him we can reflect on his desires
- maintains the covenant
20
Q
Why is the amidah important?
A
- levels out their spiritual and physical needs so they are fulfilled
- Jews can request praise and thanks deepening relationship
- Jews are reminded they need to serve God frequently
21
Q
What are similarities between the worship of Judaism and the main religious tradition of Great Britain?
A
- both are monotheistic
- both have one main preacher
- both have key prayers that emphasise the oneness of God
- readings are read from key scriptures as well as set prayers
22
Q
What are differences between the worship of Judaism and the main religious tradition of Great Britain?
A
- Jews have to pray 3 times a day but Catholics have no set time
- Jewish day if worship is the Shabbat (Friday/Saturday) but Christians is on a Sunday
- Jews worship in Hebrew we worship in the vernacular
- men and women sit separately in synagogue but together in churches
23
Q
What is the Shabbat?
A
Shabbat is a special day for Jews spent with the family or community
-it begins in Friday evening and when 3 stars appear on Saturday
24
Q
How is the Shabbat celebrated at home?
A
- they perform a blessing over the wine (kiddush)and over the bread (challah)
- ends with the havadlah to mark the end
- begins on Friday when women light candles and recite blessings
- eat 3 meals
25
Q
How is the Shabbat performed in the synagogue
A
- The amidah prayer is said facing Jerusalem
- the Sheema I said and Torah taken to the bimah for a section to be chanted
- rabbi will give a sermon
- service will end in prayer (aleinu = praise, Kaddish=greatness, hymn =God is master)
26
Q
Why is the Shabbat important?
A
- core Jewish belief, practice and teaching
- gives Jews time to reflect on their busy modern day lives
- it’s a mitzvot (God’s 3rd command infact)
- Jews can learn about God and depend their understanding of faith
- Jews come together as a community promoting unity and an identity
27
Q
Why might Jews not follow the Shabbat?
A
- pikauch nefesh means doctors have a duty to protect lives so may have to work which is forbidden
- secular Jews may be more open to driving and going out as it could be to a form of entertainment which is relaxing
- Jews may drive to the synagogue which stimulate celebration of Shabbat
28
Q
What are external features of a synagogue?
A
- faces towards Jerusalem
- all synagogues must have windows to allow light to shine in
- contains either a menorah or a Star of David on the outside to shoe it is Jewish
29
Q
What are internal features of a synagogue?
A
- Ner tamid = symbolises eternal life and is in the shape of the Star of David. It is above ark and symbolises the relationship with God
- the ark = where Torah scrolls are kept and represents covenant
- menorah = 7 candle stick and was standing in the temple
- bimah = where the Torah and sermon is given by the rabbi
30
Q
How are synagogues used?
A
- place of rites of passage/rituals
- youth clubs and community centres
- festivals as well as private prayer
- places of education (learning Hebrew)
- worship
31
Q
What are differences between reformed and traditional synagogues?
A
- in traditional seating for men and women is separate and 3 sided facing the bimah. In modern it is angled/circular and mixed seating
- t synagogues have music with no instruments just sung in Hebrew yet in m instruments are used and music is more lively
- rabbi only a man in traditional but man or women in modern
32
Q
What happens at birth, why is it important, any key differences?
A
- the life of the child begins when it is halfway merged from the mothers body
- the child is born with no original sin
- for purification reasons a mother can it enter the synagogue for 40 days if it a boy or 80 days if it is a girl
33
Q
What happens at Brit Bat, why is it important, any key differences?
A
- represents the covenant
- it is a Jewish naming ceremony for girls when they rejoice her birth and bless her
- the dad will read from the Torah (aliyah)
- modern Jews have this welcoming ceremony, traditional just a naming one
34
Q
What happens at Brit Milah, why is it important, any key differences?
A
- represent a reminder of the covenant of Abraham and the fulfilment of mitzvots
- they have a festive meal, blessings, the boy is then named and circumcised
- 40 days of cleansing for both boys and girls but varying lengths in a traditional synagogue
35
Q
What is bar/bat mitzvah, why is it important, any key differences?
A
- at 12 girls (mature first)become religious adults but at 13 for boys so it is a coming of age ceremony where they accept responsibility
- boys will read in Hebrew from the Torah and girls will read a set passage
- after they have has this ceremony, boys can partake in regular synagogue services
- in modern synagogues girls too are allowed to read after this ceremony
36
Q
What happens at marriage, why is it important, any key differences?
A
- Jews will stand under the chuppah symbolising their new home
- the ketubah is a wedding contract, this makes it legal
- the rabbi will recite 7 blessings of which one is having children which continues their faith and is an important command from Hod
- weddings ends with smashing of a glass linking to the destruction of the temple
- in M synagogues both sexes will exchanges rings but just men in T
- in M there can be interfaith and same sex marriages
-
37
Q
What happens at mourning , why is it important, any key differences?
A
- there are 5 main stages of mourning (e.g. aninut is the period before the funeral and the yahrzeit is the anniversary date)
- traditional Jews will tear a piece of clothing as a sign of mourning, reformed Jews will wear a black ribbon or cut a tie
- important as provides hope for the person in having a good life after death and Jews come together as a community
38
Q
What happens at funeral, why is it important, any key differences?
A
- bodies are usually buried not cremated
- funeral takes place within 24 hours after the death
- candles are lit and so the body is never left alone
- prayers, psalms and a eulogy are said
- on the way out Jews will wash their hand to signify the return into the living world
- important as prepares loved one for judgement and brings communities together through acts of love
- they will throw 3 handfuls of soil on the coffin to symbolise the restringing to dust
39
Q
Why are these individual ceremonies important?
A
- generally mark a rite of passage and means Jews are abiding by the mitzvots
- Brit Milah/bat brings the child into the community and offers the parents the support of others
- bar/bat mitzvah helps Jews take responsibility for their faith
- marriages provide a change to bring new life into the world
- morning and funerals provide the family with support and comfort
40
Q
What 3 things are done at Rosh Hashanah?
A
- Shofar horn blown 100 times in preparation for the festival
- read the creation story
- apple dipped in honey will be eaten for sweetness for the forthcoming year
41
Q
Why is Rosh Hashanah important?
A
- marks the beginning of the Jewish new year where they promise to do good
- a time when one can come before God and atone their sins and better their relationship with God
- it is an obligation to fulfil
42
Q
Outline 3 ways Yom Kippur is done?
A
- Jews will fast for 25 hours
- sins are confessed and thrown into water in the synagogue as well as prayers for forgiveness made
- a special evening service happens in the synagogue
- Jews will wear white as a sign of purity
43
Q
Why is yom kippur important?
A
- Jews believe at the end of this festival, God seals the book of judgment for the coming year so is a time to seek forgiveness
- Holiest day of the year and a joyful experience
- releases people from guilt and sin
- 25 hours of fasting focuses their mind on living out mitzvots and prayers
44
Q
Outline 3 ways pesach is done?
A
- a synagogue service is held when Jews will remember their ancestors
- a special Seder meal
- unleavened bread is eaten for 7 days and yeast removed from house
- read the exodus story as a reminder of being saved
45
Q
Why is pesach important?
A
- birthday if the Jewish nation
- reminds Jews god has remained loyal to them and they are his chosen people
- special teachings are learnt from the Haggadah
- reminder and remember Passover
46
Q
Outline 3 ways Shavuot is done?
A
- the Ten Commandments are read
- dairy food is eaten rather than meat and the synagogue is decorated with flowers
- prayers are said for the dead
47
Q
Why is Shavuot important?
A
- it celebrates the Torah and therefore God’s laws he has given to Jews
- celebrates the mitzvots and the liberation Jews receive from them
48
Q
Outline 3 ways sukkot is done?
A
- celebrated for 8 days when Jews will rejoice
- Jews will wave palms and carry citrus
- they made decide to build a sukkah like when Jews were in the wilderness
49
Q
Why is sukkah important?
A
- reminder if the time and dwelling place when the Jewish people were in the wilderness
- marks the end of summer and start of autumn
- reminder to do good and thank God for their blessings
50
Q
Why do Jews celebrate festivals?
A
- they are based on history of the Jewish people such as the holocaust so can remember their ancestors
- remembering the attribute of God
- celebrating the involvement of God
- they are set times when the community can come together as instructed in the Tenakh
51
Q
What are differences in festivals?
A
- traditional Jews will ensure that the customs are always kept and so will stick to traditions of their ancestors
- modern Jews may adapt and make them more relevant for modern ways of living and society
- both believe it is a time to come together as a community and worship as a group
52
Q
Outline three parts of the tenakh
A
- Torah contains the mitzvots
- ketevim is the Jewish history book for guidance to learn of the faith’s history
- neviem is the prophet book talking of the coming of the messiah
