Judaism- practices

Judaism- practices

1. Jewish Law

   • Torah

2. Symbolic features of a synagogue

   • Ner Tamid- ever burning candle
   • Sefer Torah- Torah scrolls
   • Mikveh- ritual bath, used for purification rites

3. Contrasting approaches to mourning

   • Orthodox
     • Shiva- strict- do not leave homes unless Shabbat
     • Mirrors-covered, no music, no leather shoes
       • Sign of rejecting vanity + thinking seriously about life
   • Reform
     • Shiva- not as intense- do leave home and carry on with life
     • Allow cremation of the body- unlike Orthodox

4. Shabbat practices, beliefs influences

   • 10 commandments, Mitzvot
   • No work- no baking, cooking- all done before
   • Celebrating Shabbat
     • Reminder of covenant between God + Jews
       • Exodus- 'observe throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant'
   • Friday evening + Saturday morning- synagogue services
   • INTRO- Jewish holy day of week, spiritual renewal -starts Friday sunset, ends Saturday sunset
     • Celebrating Shabbat- recalls wonders of God's creation + keep day holy as part of mitzvot