Flashcards
Judaism Practices
Cards in this deck (44)
- 1The Synagogue and its importanceIn Hebrew, Synagogue means ‘House of Assembly’. The synagogue is somewhere to go and study, and to meet people. Sabbath day (Saturday) is the busiest day. Synagogues are recognisable
through the Star of David. You would never find any pictures or any kind of humans or animals in a synagogue due to the 2nd commandment of not worshipping false idols. Orthodox Jews will often refer to the Synagogue as ‘shul’ which means school or place of study.
Reform Jews use the word ‘temple’ as they consider the synagogue a replacement for the Temple in Jerusalem. - 2Opportunities in the synagogueWorship and Prayer
Jews can pray together, services are regularly held for worship as a community.
Education
Educates Jews of all ages in their faith, provides classes in Hebrew and includes a library that helps older Jews to develop their faith and the Jewish scriptures.
Social activities
There are a variety of activities available for all ages.
Charitable events
Helps Jews to donate their time and money to charity, helps the poor. - 3The design and religious features of synagoguesBimah - It’s a reading desk and it means that everyone can hear the words of the Torah as they are read aloud.
Ark (Aron Hakodesh) - Used to store the Torah Scrolls when they’re not being used and is the wall that faces Jerusalem.
Ner Tamid - Represents the Menorah that was permanently alight in the Temple and symbolises G-d’s presence. - 4Orthodox ServicePerson leading has his back to the congregation so he’s facing the ark and prays facing the same direction as the congregation.
Conducted in Hebrew.
Men and women sit separately.
It is uncommon for some of the congregation to arrive late.
Men always cover their heads and wear a skull cap which is a sign of respect for and a fear of G-d.
Married women also cover their heads by wearing a scarf or a hat. - 5Reform ServiceDo not hold daily services, but concentrate instead on celebrating Shabbat (Sabbath day) and festivals.
Men and women sit together.
Person leading faces the congregation most of the time.
Women can perform all rituals traditionally reserved for men.
Conducted in both Hebrew and the country’s own language.
Singing may be accompanied by musical instruments.
Most men wear a head-covering and some female worshipers wear a kippah or a hat. - 6Major differencesOrthodox Jews follow all the rules and are very strict, whereas Reform Jews are more lenient.
Orthodox is more traditional where men dominate the service, whereas Reform have both male and female.
There is the separation of men and women in Orthodox synagogues. - 7Jewish PrayerJews pray at home and in the synagogue.
A tallit is a prayer shawl.
A Kippah is also known as a yarmulke or capel.
Prayer needs kavanah, which means intention/direction.
Kippah – sign of respect to G-d, reminder that God is above them, shows people that the person is proud to be a Jew.
Tallit – reminds Jews that they are obeying G-d’s word, longer tassels are called the tzizit. - 8TefillinIt is important because G-d told them that they should wear his word on their arms and on their head: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and in your minds”.
It contains the Shema.
It reminds Jews that their mind should be focussed on G-d when they pray, and prayers should come from the heart. - 9The Format of Jewish ServicesDevout Orthodox Jews pray three times a day as they believe it brings them closer to G-d.
It also helps them to remember what their faith is all about and strengthens the sense of Jewish community. - 10The Amidah (Prayer)It is called the ‘standing prayer’ or the ‘eighteen blessings’.
It is prayed in silence while standing and facing Jerusalem.
People pray for peace, goodness, kindness and compassion. - 11What is Shabbat?It begins at sunset of Friday and lasts an hour after sunset on Saturday.
Jews keep the Shabbat to follow the commandments.
God created the world in 6 days and rested on the seventh.
It is a reminder of the covenant between G-d and Abraham and is a gift from G-d and a day of rest.
“Six days you shall labour and do all work…on the seventh day you shall not work” – Exodus 20:8 - 12Shabbat ServicesA brief service on the Friday evening that lasts around 45 minutes.
Some synagogues will hold services for the whole family.
At the end of a Friday service, the prayer leader takes a cup of wine and recites a blessing thanking G-d.
The Saturday morning service is longer and includes prayers, blessing and a reading from the Torah. - 13Actions in the Shabbat serviceCongregation stands when the Ark is opened to reveal Torah scrolls - Reminder of how Jews stood at the bottom of Mount Sinai when Moses returned with the ten commandments.
Torah is taken from the Ark and dressed with a cover and various ornaments, such as a crown and breastplate - Reminder of the vestments worn by the rabbis/priests in early Judaism.
The Torah is held in front of the congregation while verses from scripture are chanted; it is then paraded round the congregation - This represents the march through the wilderness, when Jews carried the original Ark from Mount Sinai to Jerusalem.
When the Torah passes through the synagogue, many Jews touch it with their prayer book or the tassels of their tallit and then touch their lips - This recalls Ezekial 3:3 which tells Jews that God’s words should be on their lips, and sweet like honey. - 14Shabbat in the home - preparationsAll the work is done and the home is prepared before Shabbat begins – this is because most types of work aren’t allowed during Shabbat.
At least two candles are placed on the table – they represent the two commandments which are to ‘remember’ and ‘observe’ the Shabbat.
Two loaves of challah bread are placed on the table as it represents the food that God provided Jews with on Shabbat.
Wine or grape juice is placed on the table, drunk from a Kiddush cup – symbolises joy and celebration. - 15Shabbat in the home - FridayLighting of the candles welcomes in Shabbat.
This is performed by the mother, shortly before sunset. She moves her hands around the flames 3 times, offering blessings.
Share a meal:
Lead by the Father
Loaves
Wine
Time for family - 16Shabbat in the home - SaturdaySynagogue – family meal/reading Torah
End of Shabbat: sunset
Light the Havdalah candle; bright light into the house after Shabbat.
Blessings again over the wine and shared. - 17Different ways to prayThe Mezuzah – contains the Shema.
The Kitchen – reminds Jews of G-d and the need to obey dietary laws.
613 rules are called mitzvot, they teach people how to be kind, what to eat, how to help charity and how to help people and animals.
The Torah is like an instruction manual. - 18Talmud; the oral lawHow to interpret the Torah and its rules to life were passed from generation to generation.
It became important that the teachings were written down. - 19Tenakh• The Jewish sacred scriptures.
• Collection of 24 books.
Three main parts:
• The Torah – five books of Moses, form the basis of Jewish law.
• The Nev’im – the prophets, eight books that continue to trace Jewish history.
• The Ketuvim – 11 books that contain a collection of poetry, stories, advice etc. - 20Talmud• A commentary by the early rabbis on the Torah.
• Contains a collection of discussions and teachings about how to interpret and apply its laws to everyday life.
Two main parts:
• The Mishnah – a commentary on the Torah compiled by Rabbi Judah in 200CE. There was a danger these teachings that were written down would be altered or misinterpreted without written record of them.
• The Gemara – a collection of discussions on the Mishnah, written down in 500CE. - 21The importance of rituals in Jewish family lifeFour important events in the life of the family are celebrated with religious rituals.
These stages are called ‘rites of passage’:
Birth, coming of age, marriage and death.
Naming ceremony – a baby girl’s name will be announced as the father recites the Torah. A boy will be named later at his circumcision. Reform Jews will have both parents taking part in the naming ceremony. It is significant as it introduces the baby to the community and G-d.
Redemption of the first born son – Orthodox Jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth and prayers are said. It redeems the son from the Temple service.
Brit Milah – no more than 8 days old, performed by a Mohel, ‘blessed is he who comes’, chair set aside for Elijah, baby placed on the lap of a sandek. Sign of loyalty and respect. - 22What is initiation?Initiation is a rite of passage marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society.
When Jewish boys reach 13 and girls reach 12, they are considered old enough to take full responsibility for practicing their faith. “son/daughter of the commandment” - 23Celebrating a Bar MitzvahTakes place on the first Shabbat after the boy turns 13.
He would read from the Torah which the synagogues prepare the boy for.
Wears the tallit for the first time and would make a speech in front of the congregation
The Father gives thanks and a party or a meal will be held. - 24Celebrating a Bat MitzvahReform Bat Mitzvahs
The girl will read from the Torah, give a short speech and may lead part of the prayer service.
All of this is often followed by a celebratory meal.
Orthodox Bat Mitzvahs
The girl may make a speech or give a brief Torah lesson at the end of a synagogue service. - 25Why is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah important?It is when a Jew becomes an adult.
Jews are brought closer to G-d and the Jewish community by preparing for it.
It is when a Jew is expected to start strictly following Jewish law, and take full responsibility for doing so.
It is when a Jewish boy (obviously only Bar Mitzvah) becomes part of the minyan. - 26Jewish weddingsAlthough most Jewish weddings take place in a synagogue, they can take place anywhere.
It’s traditional for it to take place on a Tuesday.
Jews cannot get married on the Shabbat or a festival day. - 27Why do people get married?Because they are truly in love with each other.
Because they want to spend the rest of their lives together.
The couple might want to start a family and getting married starts that off.
It shows that the two are committed to each other forever. - 28The importance of marriage and betrohalIt is a way of experiencing holiness in everyday life.
Two souls are fused to become one – “become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24)
Betrothal is a two step process. It is a period of engagement where people are promised to each other.
Betrothal has a legal status in Jewish law and can only be broken by death or divorce; so technically they’re already married in Jewish law.
During the year, the couple do not live together but prepare for the wedding. - 29Items or traditionsKetubah - A wedding contract signed by the groom - It has been used in a Jewish wedding since biblical times (traditional). It is the groom promising to protect and support his wife.
Chuppah - A canopy under which Jews get married - It’s open to everyone and is welcoming. It represents togetherness and the home that they’re making.
Goblet - Blessed wine that is shared by the bride and groom - It represents joy and happiness and is a reminder of the history of Passover – when the Jews were freed from slavery.
Ring and Mazel Tov - Exchange of rings and a symbol of marriage having no beginning or end - Because it is an exchange of promise and the Mazel Tov means congratulations / Good Luck.
Seven blessings - Said by the rabbi over the couple. They are given a sip from the goblet of wine which is offered by each other’s parents - Represents the need for people to come together to support the marriage and he couple can’t achieve happiness on their own.
Breaking of the glass - Done by the groom with his heel - Reminder of the destruction of the Jewish temple. - 30Stage 1 – Shmira (guarding) and Tahara1a) Shmira (Guarding) – people sit in a room where the dead person is and they recite the psalms. Jews don’t want to leave the body on its own.
1b) Tahara – prayers are recited, the deceased is physically washed, the body is dressed like priests and there is preparation for God and a spiritual clean. - 31Stage 2 - LevayaThis is a Jewish funeral. There are several practices that take place…
Men are expected to cover their heads.
There are no flowers because they represent life; this person is dead.
There are prayers, psalms and a eulogy that take place.
The coffin is covered as it is a sign of respect.
Each person at Levaya shovels dirt 3 times onto the coffin and each person leaves the shovel in the ground ready for the next person. - 32Stage 3 – Shivah/ShivaThis is where the mourners reflect on the person who has died.
The community provides things such as meals and comfort that the mourner will be okay.
The Shivah lasts for one week following the death of the person.
People offer their condolences. - 33Teachings about dietary laws“You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud”
“There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them”
“You may eat any that has fins and scales…You may eat any clean bird”
“Do not eat any detestable thing” - 34Dietary lawsFood which Jews are allowed to eat is called ‘kosher.
Before meat is cooked it’s soaked in cold water and sprinkled with salt to remove all blood.
Anything not kosher is called Trefah (means torn).
Jewish people can eat meat from birds like turkey, chicken and duck.
Jewish people can eat some fish – any with fins and scales.
Permitted meat must be killed in a prescribed way. The animal would be slaughtered by a trained Jew. “But make sure that you do not partake of the blood; for the blood is the life, and you must not consume the life with flesh” – Deuteronomy 12:23 - 35A Jewish kitchenCertain combinations of foods aren’t allowed to be eaten at the same time. After eating meat, several hours must pass before anything containing meat is eaten.
Many Orthodox homes have kitchens with two sinks and two food preparation areas, this is so they can keep meat and milk separate.
Most synagogues have kosher kitchens in which food can be prepared according to the dietary laws for functions held there.
To make it easier when buying food at a supermarket, a number of Jewish authorities will certify foods as kosher and put a label on the packaging. - 36How is Rosh Hashannah observed?The month before, a ram’s horn (a Shofar) is blown daily in the synagogue (except on Shabbat).
Special prayers of forgiveness are said.
On the day before, special preparations are made and candles are lit just before sunset.
Eat ritual foods – honey and apple (symbolic of a sweet new year).
Hear the Shofar (the ram’s horn).
Go to the synagogue.
Take stock – reflection on previous break up. Say Shana Tova which means Happy New Year. - 37Observing of Rosh HashannahImproving God’s Judgement – Jews will try to take actions that will help improve God’s judgement. This includes things like praying, doing charity work and atoning or making up for any harm they’ve caused over the last year.
Celebrating at home – preparations will be made, families share a festive meal that evening.
Attending services in the synagogue – prayers will be said asking God to continue to be the king of the world for the coming year. The morning after Rosh Hashanah, the Shofar is blown 100 times. - 38The 10 days of returningThe period from the 1st (Rosh Hashanah) until the 10th (Yom Kippur) is known as the 10 days of returning.
It’s a time to consider their deeds of the past year.
God does not forgive a wrong done to another person unless one has asked that person for forgiveness first. So Jews try to contact anyone they might have wronged. - 39Yom KippurIt is a full day fast. The whole day is spent in repentant prayer in the synagogue.
Along with Rosh Hashanah, it is one of the two High Holy days for Jews. - 40Origins of Yom Kippur“practice self-denial…on this day atonement shall be made” – Leviticus 16
This day of atonement is when God seals the book of judgement.
It is expected that Jews will have already mended their relationships in the days before Yom Kippur. - 41Observance of Yom KippurAttending services in the synagogue – Jews ask God to forgive their sins and take part in a general confession of sin as a community. During the final service, Jews are given one last chance to confess their sins before the doors of the Ark are closed, showing God’s judgement is now sealed.
Observing other rituals – Jews fast for 25 hours and wear white as a symbol of purity. Bathing, wearing leather shoes and having sex are also forbidden. - 42Origins of PesachPesach goes back to the story of Passover which is the story of the death of the first born.
- 43Observations for PesachEat unleavened bread for seven days each year.
Remove leaven (chametz) from the home which recalls how the escaping Israelites didn’t have time to let their bread rise.
Clean their home thoroughly so that there is no trace of leaven to be found. - 44Observations of PesachCandle is lit and families often go to the synagogue.
Everyone washes their hands.
The middle Matzah is broken into two and one half of it is hidden for children to find.
The youngest child in the family would ask four questions.
The Exodus is read.
The hands are washed once again ass a reminder of washing hands before baking bread.
A blessing is said before eating.
The Hallel Songs of Praise – after the mail, psalms of praise to God.
The Cup of Elijah – Jews will believe he will come again, front door is opened in the hope that Elijah will one day return.
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- Flashcards on Judaism Practices, created by Liam Hill on 10/05/2018.
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