Unit 8

Question 1

Explain three forms of public worship

Answer 1

• Shabbat services in the synagogue
• daily prayers x3
• festivals are other services that take place in public

Question 2

Explain two reasons why public worship is important to Jews

Answer 2

Book of psalms encourages public worship: “my vows to hashem I will pay, in the presence of his entire people in the courtyards of his house”

Synagogue services unite a local community in prayer and study

Question 3

What are the divergent teachings of public worship (2)

Answer 3

Reform and liberal denominations focus on Shabbat services more than daily prayers

Orthodox daily prayers are said in Hebrew, whereas in reform and liberal the balance of Hebrew and English varies

Question 4

Explain the nature of the tenakh and Talmud (inc reform and orthodox)

Answer 4

Tenakh-Jewish bible, 3 parts:

• Torah (5 Books of Moses)
• nevii’im (prophets)
• ketuvim (writings)

Talmud-oral, includes Mishnah and Gemara

Orthodox = literal word of god from mt Sinai
Reform = human creation written by ancestors

Question 5

Explain the importance of the tenakh and Talmud in daily life (reform and orthodox)

Answer 5

Torah read:

• 4 times/week in orthodox
• once/week in reform

Talmud is central to Jewish life - all Jews encouraged to study it

Question 6

Explain two reasons why it is important for Jews to keep the laws of the kashrut (food rules)

Answer 6

• Torah lists meats which shouldn’t be eaten, Torah is word of god
• bringing kedusha (holiness) to the most essential area of existence

Question 8

Explain two reasons why private worship is important to Jews

Answer 8

Shabbat prayer - brings family and friends together

Constant prayer keeps god in an individuals heart and mind, allows spontaneous opportunity for thanksgiving

Question 9

Explain the nature of the amidah and the shema

Answer 9

• shema is prayer of declaration, Deuteronomy - most important, recited morning and evening
• amidah is core part of Jewish worship (standing prayer)

Question 10

Explain two ways the shema might be used in Jewish practice

Answer 10

• wearing refilling comes from shema, Jews are told to bind their prayers on their arms and forehead
• shema found in a mezuzah (container) on doorpost, reminds Jews of gods presence

Question 13

Explain two examples of private prayer (swa)

Answer 13

During Shabbat prayers are said privately before a meal - kiddish

3x private prayers a day, shema at night and thanksgiving prayer first thing

SWA: “evening, morning and noon, I supplicate and I moan; and he has heard my voice.”