Unit 8 Judaism Flashcards
Shema Prayer
The Shema is said in the morning, and evening.
- When Jewish men say the Shema in the morning they where the tallit and tefillin.
Importance of Shema
Jews will say the prayer as it is a declaration of the main beliefs of the Jewish faith- one God
- Looks at other attributes of God- greatness; eyes covered when said
Amidah
The Amidah is said three times a day.
- 3 steps are said forward, and at the end 3 steps back. It is said facing Jerusalem and standing
Importance of Amidah
The prayer has 3 sections; praise, petitions, and thanks.
- In total it has 19 blessings. The prayer fulfils what is required by Jewish rabbis. Must be said in services.
Birth - Meaning and Importance
Life begins when halfway out
No sin
Mother cannot enter temple until pure
Birth - meaning and importance
Life begins when halfway out
No sin
Mother cannot enter temple until pure
Brit Millah
Link to covenant with Abraham
Is naming ceremony for boy
Bar Mitzvah
Coming of adult for boy
Can read from Torah at services Learn the laws and Hebrew
Marriage
Continuation of faith through family and command Symbolic- e.g. smashing glass and temple destroyed
Mourning
5 periods of mourning. Death, 7 days, 30 days, year of mourning, anniversary. Often no celebration for at least 30 days. Done to help return back to normal life
Funeral
Done as a reminder of end of life beginning of new one
Time when community can come together to support
Usually burial within 24 hours
Shabbat
Time of relaxation, prayer and community marking the end of the week and the creation of the universe
- Happens on Friday evening to when three stars appear on Saturday
How is Shabbat celebrated
home tidied and cleaned, candles lit and prayer said by women (the Kiddush), meal celebrated, songs sung to praise God, ends with blessing of wine and lighting candles.
- (2)mainserviceontheSaturdaywhereprayersaresaid.Especiallyimportant is the Amidah, the reading from the Torah and the Kaddish prayer praising God
Why is Shabbat important
Is a Mitzvot from God
- Means the community come together with God as the focal point of worship
- Time when faith can be learnt and explored
- Is a challenge as there is disagreement over what is work; is driving work?
Rosh Hashanah
First day of the Jewish year and reminds them of the creation story
• Jews will think of their behaviour for new year, and reflect on last years
• It is commanded to do so in the Tora
Yom Kippur
This is the holiest day of the year. It happens 10 days after Rosh Hashanah
• Jews will ask for repentance and fast for 25 hours
• Jews will confess their sins, this is similar to the sacrifices made in the Torah
Pesach
Also known as the Passover as a commemoration of when God killed the firstborn child when He passed over Egypt in Exodus, and in hope for the Messiah
• The festival is a celebration of the freedom/liberation of the Jewish people after years of slavery in Egypt. It is a reminder of God’s love
• Leaven food is gotten rid, and there is a special Seder meal that is eaten with food of symbolic reference.
Shavuot
Celebration of receiving the Law at Sinai, it is 7 weeks after Pesach
• Jews may make a special effort to read certain extracts from the Torah and study God
• It is also a Harvest celebration so Jews may also decorate synagogues or eat dairy
Sukkot
This takes 4 days after Yom Kippur, it brings I the new harvest on Autumn
• More importantly it is a reminder of the time that the Jewish people spent in the wilderness
• It lasts for 8 days
Features of synagogue
The Ark; contains the Torah scrolls, links to the Ark they were kept in the old Temple. Faces Jerusalem
- Ner Tamid- this is the eternal light. Reminds Jews of the presence of God always. Links to how God is eternal
Features of synagogue part 2
Menorah- used in the Temple. Links to the 7 days of creation, and the day of rest
- Bimah- platform where the Torah scrolls are read from, as well as the sermon from the Rabbi. It is the main focus and links to the altar in the Temple
What is a Yad
Yad- used as a reading stick due to the sacredness of the Torah
Importance of synagogue
Brings the Jewish family together
- Has many links to the Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed
- Is a place of learning, not just prayer
- Is symbolic, will always face Jerusalem; light is in to show God, and always has a either a menorah or star of David to show faith
