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Re > Unit 8 - Jewish Practices > Flashcards

Unit 8 - Jewish Practices Flashcards

1
Q

Tenakh

A

• The Jewish Bible
• It is the Torah, the Nevi’im and the ketuvim
• The Torah is the most important book, it is kept in the Ark in a synagogue
• Traditional Jews believe this was given to Moses, and the rest of the Tenakh is the word of God.
• Modern Jews believe the Torah is just a human creation.
• Used in Jewish worship in the synagogue, and also daily living
• The whole of the Torah is read each year by Jews, and at least once a week in synagogues.

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2
Q

Talmud

A

• The Talmud is the oral law of Judaism
• It is instruction or learning
• For traditional Jews the Talmud was given to Moses
• For modern Jews it’s a human creation
• The Talmud has 2 parts, the Mishnah, the core texts, and the Gemara, the interpretation from Rabbis.
• It is the basis of Jewish law.
• Explains the 613 Mitzvots, and how they should be lived.
• There are study sessions of the Talmud
• For traditional Jews it is essential and believed to ‘attain eternal life’ for modern Jews however it is important but not essential.

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3
Q

Importance of the Tenakh

A

• Used in Jewish worship in the synagogue, and also daily living
• The whole of the Torah is read each year by Jews, and at least once a week in synagogues.

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4
Q

Importance of the Talmud

A

• Explains the 613 Mitzvots, and how they should be lived.
• There are study sessions of the Talmud
• For traditional Jews it is essential and believed to ‘attain eternal life’ for modern Jews however it is important but not essential.

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5
Q

3 features of Jewish food laws?

A

• Meat must be slaughtered in the correct way.
• Can’t mix dairy with meat.
• You can’t eat birds of prey

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6
Q

Purpose of Jewish food laws?

A

• Jews believe the laws come from God which is why they keep them.
• It is an opportunity to bring kedusha, or holiness, into everyday life.
• Some suggest the laws had health benefits at the time they were made - seafood would have travelled long distances without refrigeration, pigs carried disease etc.

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7
Q

Different attitudes towards Jewish food laws?

A

• Orthodox Jews feel they are still important to keep, while some Reform and Liberal Jews may not observe all laws.
• Most Jews refrain from eating pork.

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8
Q

Purpose of public worship

A

• To spend time in praise, request and thanks to God.
• To come together as a community using similar prayers
• To follow the teachings to worship in the Torah
• To say certain prayers that can only be said in the synagogue

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9
Q

3 examples of public worhsip

A

1) Shabbat
2) Festivals
3) Daily Prayers

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10
Q

Shabbat

A

Every Friday and Saturday Jews come together to celebrate the Shabbat, the day of rest. Services happen on Friday evening and during the morning on Saturday. Prayers are said and and readings read from the Torah. Jews encourage that the whole family attends services to give thanks for the Shabbat.

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11
Q

Daily prayers

A

Jews are expected to worship 3 times a day. They are usually services in the synagogue where Jews can do this. In orthodox synagogues prayers are said in Hebrew, however in modern ones they are mixed and they may also be done more quickly. Additionally in orthodox synagogues women will be sperate from the men, and the rabbi will always be a man.

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12
Q

Festivals

A

Jews also worship in the synagogue on special festival. On these days Jews are reminded of important historical events.

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13
Q

Importance of public worship?

A

• It unites the whole of the Jewish community in prayer and study.
• Jews are united in saying the same prayers, and all face Israel, and are together following the requirements of the faith.
• Jews believe that God will respond to the prayers that are offered.
• Teaching from the Rabbi will relate to the readings and prayers.

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14
Q

When do Jews pray privately?

A

• Jews will pray as a family on Shabbat and say the KIDDUSH together - a prayer of blessing.
• Jews will pray the MODEH ANI - a prayer of thanks in the morning
• When entering a house Jews will touch a Mezuzah - a box that contains scripture.
• Jews will also at home pray the Shema when they go to bed - this speaks of the oneness of God

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15
Q

What 3 times a day do Jews pray?

A

Jews pray 3 times a day in the morning called shacarit; the afternoon minchah, and in the evening arvit. Jews may either say these prayers at home or in the synagogue. Men will wear special items when they pray the teffilin and tallit. The formal prayers Jews pray are found in the Siddur. Prayers are said either in Hebrew or English.

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16
Q

Importance of prayer in the home?

A

• When done on the Shabbat this brings the family together.
• It becomes central to family life - regular celebration.

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17
Q

Importance of private personal prayer?

A

• Means that God is central in the heart and mind and is being reflected on constantly.
• Means the command to pray is being followed.

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18
Q

Importance of set formal prayer?

A

• Makes the prayer regular and set in the day.
• Means that one is praying for certain reasons, praise, request or thanks. Helps if not sure what to pray.

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19
Q

Purpose and nature of the Shema?

A

• It’s said in the morning, evening and before going to bed. The first two paragraphs are found in the Mezuzah on the entrance to a house
• When Jewish men say the Shema in the morning they wear the tallit and the Tefillin. Jews will also cover their eyes at the beginning and end of a prayer.
• Jews will say the prayers as a declaration of the main beliefs of the Jewish faith

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20
Q

Purpose and nature of the Amidah?

A

• The Amidah is said 3 times a day either privately, or in the synagogue
• At the beginning of the prayer 3 steps are said forward, to enter God’s presence, and at the end 3 steps back. It should be facing Jerusalem. It should be said standing.
• The prayer has 3 sections; praise, petition and thanks. In total it has 19 blessings. The prayer fulfils what is required by Jewish Rabbis.

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21
Q

Why is the Shema important?

A

• Declares most fundamental principle of Jewish faith: belief in one God.
• Emphasises the Jewish belief in the need to love and follow his commands

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22
Q

What is the importance of the Amidah?

A

• It asks God to fulfil Jews spiritual needs
• It is a prayer of praise, request and thanks

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23
Q

Differences between the ways Jews and Christians worship?

A

• Shema is most important prayer in Judaism. Our father is the most important prayer for Catholics.
• Synagogue worship takes place on a Friday night and Saturday morning in keeping with the Shabbat. The Christian Sabbath is on a Sunday, the day of the Resurrection.
• Prayer aids such as the tallit and Tefillin are used during formal worhsip. Rosary beads may be used by Catholics for prayer, but these are not part of formal worship.

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24
Q

Why are rituals important?

A

• They are following the Mitzvot’s that Jews abide by.
• Observance shows gratitude to God, a sense of Jewish identity, and brings the almighty into every day life.

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25
Q

What happens at birth?

A

• Life begins as a baby emerges halfway from the mother’s womb; it is pure and free from sin.
• The mother cannot enter or touch anything sacred for: Boys: 7 days plus 33 days Girls: 14 days plus 66 days
• The recovery time was doubled for a girl to reflect the extra work the mother has done to create another creator.
• Offerings would then have been made at the temple to become purified.
• Today the mother attends Mikvah - ritual bath of purification.
• Children are always given a Hebrew name, and often an English name. A girls name is given in the synagogue, a boys name is given during the Brit Milah.

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26
Q

What happens in Brit Bat/Milah?

A

• Circumcision is one of the the most universally observed Mitzvot.
• It is an outward sign of the everlasting covenant with the almighty
• Circumcision is performed by a religiously trained person

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27
Q

Why is Brit Bat/Milah important?

A

• Brings a child into the community
• Offers parents the support of others

28
Q

What is Bar Mitzvah?

A

Young people are seen as responsible at this point.
They are expected to study and prepare carefully
• Age of 13
• Can lead synagogue service after this
• Need to learn enough Hebrew to read from the Torah

29
Q

What is Bat Mitzvah?

A

Young people are seen as responsible at this point.
They are expected to study and prepare carefully

• Age of 12
• Will be taught to cook challah and other important preparations in the home

30
Q

Why is Bar/Bat mitzvah important?

A

• A young Jewish person takes responsibility of their faith.

31
Q

What happens in marriage?

A

• There are very few teachings on marriage in the Torah
• The Talmud explains how to find a partner, the form of the ceremony, and the nature of marital relationships
• Jews must first go through a ritual engagement or kiddushin

32
Q

Why is marriage important?

A

• Chance to create new life.

33
Q

What happens in mourning?

A

• This helps the bereaved return to normal life after the loss of a loved one
• In the first seven days after burial they stay at home praying, no work done.
• First 30 days to complete mourning and return to normal life, but no parties.
• There is an additional year of mourning for the loss of a parent
• On the anniversary of the death a candle is lit.

34
Q

What happens in the funeral?

A

• Jews are usually buried rather than cremated within 24 hours of death.
• Candles are lit and the body is never left alone
• It is wrapped in a linen shroud
• Men are wrapped in a tallit
• Plain coffins are used
• The funeral takes place entirely at the cemetery as the synagogue is considered a place for the living.
• Hands are washed outside the ceremony to signify leaving death being

35
Q

Why is mourning and funeral important?

A

• Gives the family comfort and support for that persons life.

36
Q

Differences in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

A

Reform communities allow boys and girls to read from the Torah.

37
Q

Differences in mourning?

A

• Orthodox Jews will often tear their clothes when they loose a loved one
• Reform Jews may wear a black torn ribbon

38
Q

Shabbat

A

Shabbat is a special day characterised by time to relax; spending time with the family and community, and worshiping at the synagogue. Jews believe that God instructed them to observe the Sabbath and keep it Holy. It begins on Friday evening and ends on Saturday evening when there are 3 stars in the sky. This is the end of the week for Jews.

39
Q

How do Jews celebrate the Sabbath at home?

A

• House cleaned and tidied in preparation
• Candles lit before the meal and a prayer of blessing said, the Kiddush
• Meals eaten, songs sang and wine drank
• Havdalah blessing over the wine and lighting of a candle to mark the end of Shabbat on Saturday evening.

40
Q

How is the Sabbath celebrated in the synagogue?

A

1) The Amidah prayer is said done facing Jerusalem.
2) The Torah is removed from the Ark and the Shema is said.
3) The Torah is taken to the Bimah (a stand) and a section is chanted.
4) The Torah is returned back to the Ark.
5) The Rabbi will give a sermon on the readings.
6) The service will end with prayer.
7) The Aleinu which praises God, The Kaddish which emphasises God’s greatness, and the final act being the hymn saying God is master.

41
Q

What are the challenges for Jews to keep Shabbat today?

A

• You can’t drive but you might not be able to walk to the synagogue.
• A job may require you to work on the weekend.
• There has been an increase in technology since the time of Moses.
• Modern Jews frequently live in countries where Judaism is not the predominant faith, which provides challenges in observing Shabbat as strictly as they may wish.

42
Q

Importance of the Sabbath?

A

• It is a command from God that is not always easy in the modern world.
• It is a time when the Jews can learn more about their faith.

43
Q

Nature, origin and purpose of Jewish festivals?

A

• Festivals occur at a set time in the Jewish calendar, with some variation in dates as it is a lunar calendar
• Most festivals are linked to the history of the Jewish people, connecting Jews today with the history of the faith.
• Joyful events celebrate God’s involvement and intervention on their behalf
• Festivals are often celebrated both at home and in the synagogue, as opportunities for families and synagogue communities to come together.
• Tradition is an important part of Jewish life
• Some festivals focus on God as a creator (Shabbat) and others on relationships with Jews (Yom Kippur)

44
Q

Rosh Hashanah

A

• First day of the Jewish year.
• Remembers the story of creation.
• A day of repentance.
• Traditional Jews celebrate it over 2 days, modern over 1.
• It is a time where Jews will think of their actions for the year ahead in belief that God knows what’s to come.
• Jews will also reflect and make peace on precious behaviour.
• Jews will visit the synagogue, and then celebrate with a meal. Fruit symbolises renewal, and good deeds.
• The synagogue may further be visited where prayers and sins are gotten rid off.

45
Q

Yom Kippur

A

• Known as the Day of Atonement and is the holiest day in the Jewish year
• Time of reflection and forgiveness from sin
• 10 days long and begins on Rosh Hashanah
• May be a time of fasting, 25 hours in total
• Also seen though as a joyful celebration where one repairs their relationship with God.
• Jews will confess and atone their sins before God closes the book of judgement.
• Services will take place; vows may be gotten rid off if they are unable to keep, white to show purity may be worn, prayers are said, and the Ark may be reflected on.
• The shafar horn is blown, in belief of the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

46
Q

Yom Kippur:
Importance

A

• Holiest day in the year
• Day to reflect on sins and seek forgiveness from God
• Repairs Jews relationship with God.

47
Q

Pesach

A

• This is one of the pilgrim festivals when Jews visited the Temple.
• Pesach is known also as the Passover when God killed the firstborn baby male.
• Jews will come together and celebrate together.
• Pesach reminds Jews of God’s love for the oppressed and weak, also the birth of the Jewish nation.
• During Pesach, the house is cleaned, leavened bread removed, and lasts for 8 days.
• Food on the Seder plate is symbolic.
• 4 cups of wine are frank thanking God for freedom.
• The meal ends with hope for the coming of the Messiah, and that they will celebrate in Jerusalem next year.

48
Q

Pesach:
Importance

A

• Referred to as the Passover, based on the night that God passed over Egypt killing every firstborn male, but not those of the Jewish people.
• Jews try to gather as a family, and include members of the community who cannot he with their own relatives.
• Reminder of God’s love for the oppressed and weak members of society in every generation.

49
Q

Shavout

A

• A celebration of the giving from God of the Law of Sinai.
• It also marks the harvest, and Jews may offer wheat from the harvest to the Temple.
• Jews may also reflect more on the Torah to celebrate what was given to Moses by God.
• Jews may eat dairy, or decorate the synagogue in green.
• Shavout completes Pesach and symbolises the spiritual development of the individual.

50
Q

Shavout:
Importance

A

• Celebrates the giving of the law on Mount Sinai
• Marks the wheat harvest in ancient Israel

51
Q

Sukkot

A

• Sukkot takes place 5 days after Yom Kippur.
• Many families will build a sukkah which represents the types of dwelling the Jews lived in in the wilderness.
• It lasts for 8 days.
• Sukkot reminds Jews that they are linked to their ancestors, they belong to an ancient people.
• At Sukkot there are 4 things that are used;
Etrog - those who know the Torah and do good
Lulav - those who know the Torah but do bad
Myrtle - do good but don’t know the Torah
Willow - don’t know the Torah and do bad

52
Q

Sukkot:
Importance

A

• Marks the end of the summer
• Marks the start of the autumn fruit harvest
• Reminder of the dwelling places the Jewish lived in during the wilderness years

53
Q

Divergent ways festivals are celebrated?

A

• For traditional Jews they will ensure that the customs of the festivals are always kept, they will do things similar to their ancestors and stick to traditions.
• For modern Jews festivals may be adapted and made more relevant for modern Jewish living and ways of life.

54
Q

Nature and history of the synagogue

A

• Synagogue means ‘bringing together’
• It facilitates worship, focusing on the Bimah where the Torah is read.
• It is sometimes called the ‘shul’ (school) as it is a centre of education too.
• Synagogues are often recognisable due to a Star of David or a Menorah on the outside.
• It is a place for the community. Activities may include: Hebrew classes, Adult education classes, youth clubs, charity events.

55
Q

The Ark

A

The ark is the most important part of any synagogue. It is a cupboard at the front of the meeting hall, in the wall that faces towards Jerusalem. The ark is where Torah scrolls are kept when they are not being used. The curtain will be pulled back, the doors opened and a scroll will be carried from the ark to the Bimah to be read. On the wall above the ark, there are usually 2 plagues. On these tablets are the Ten Commandments. In a synagogue they are usually decorated with the first 2 words of each commandment in Hebrew.

56
Q

Net Tamid

A

Eternal light, it’s the name given to the lamp that always burns at the front of the synagogue. It represents the menorah that was permanently alight in the Temple to symbolise the presence of God.

57
Q

The Bimah

A

When a Torah scroll is read in a synagogue, it is unrolled on a reading desk called a Bimah. The Bimah is usually on a raised platform, and often in the middle of the synagogue so that everyone can hear the words of the Torah as they are read aloud.

58
Q

The Yad

A

When someone reads the Torah, they follow the words with a pointer called a yad, so that the ink is not damaged by sweaty or greasy fingers. Hebrew is read from right to left - the opposite direction to English.

59
Q

Torah scroll

A

Torah scrolls are in Hebrew. They are written out by hand and made of natural materials. The scrolls are treated with great respect and are “dressed” when not being used.

60
Q

The Menorah

A

The menorah is a seven branched lamp stand that burned day and night in the temple. Synagogues have a nine branched lamp stand or candelabra called a Hanukkiah. This is lit during the festival of Hanukkah.

61
Q

Features of the synagogue?

A

• Th Ark
• Ner Tamid
• The Bimah
• The Yad
• Torah scroll
• Menorah

62
Q

Synagogue design

A

There will always be an Ark and a Bimah. The design of the seating and position of the Bimah may vary slightly; orthodox synagogues often have seating on 3 sides facing a central Bimah; while the Ark takes up the fourth side. There may also be a balcony area for women. This layout can be replicated in Liberal, or reform synagogues or they may place the Bimah at the front of the hall before the ark. Seating would be angled towards the front of the hall. Some modern Jewish synagogues are different shapes but the positioning of the seating towards the Bimah and Ark remain important. The synagogue should face towards Jerusalem. This is east in the UK.

63
Q

How are synagogues used?

A

• Place of worhsip
• Place of education
• Festivals and rites of passage

64
Q

Different traditions with Orthodox and Reformed Jews?

A

• Men and women sit together in Reformed synagogues but not in Orthodox.
• Musical instruments may be used in Reformed services but not in Orthodox
• Women take an active part in Reformed services but not in Orthodox.
• Only men can be ordained as a Rabbi in Orthodox but in Reformed women can be ordained as a Rabbi.

65
Q

Rosh Hashanah:
Importance

A

• Used to remember the story of creation
• The Mishnah says on this day God writes down the deeds of a person, judged them, and makes decisions about the year to come.
• A time for Jews to evaluate their behaviour and ask for forgiveness before judgement of God is finalised.

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