Judaism- Practices

Question 1

menorah

Answer 1

many branched candlestick

Question 2

star of david

Answer 2

six pointed star representing King David

Question 3

Ark

Answer 3

aron hakodesh
holiest place in the synagogue
where scrolls of Torah are kept

Question 4

Ner tamid

Answer 4

ever burning light
symbolises God’s presence
reminder of menorah which was lit every night in the Temple in Jerusalem

Question 5

Bimah

Answer 5

reading platform
raised platform usually in centre of prayer hall
where Torah is read from
focal point for congregation when listening
reminder of altar in centre of courtyard in jerusalem

Question 6

Tallit

Answer 6

prayer shawl (wool or silk) with a tassel attached to each corner
reminder to jews to obey god’s word
tassels represent mitzvot

Question 7

tefillin

Answer 7

pair of leather boxes containing torah extracts and some words from shema
one fastened to centre of forehead, other on upper arm in line with heart
reminder to focus on god during prayer , and that prayers should come from the heart

Question 8

Amidah

Answer 8

standing prayer , central prayer of jewish worship
forms core of all jewish prayer services on weekdays

Question 9

shabbat

Answer 9

jewish holy day of week for rest and renewal
from sunset on friday to sunset saturday

Question 10

havdalah service

Answer 10

marks end of shabbat
performed at home after sunset

Question 11

Brit milah

Answer 11

ceremony taking place when a baby is 8 years old
when baby is circumcised

Question 12

tenakh

Answer 12

written law
jewish sacred scriptures, collection of 24 books found in old testament
consists of Torah, Nevi’im (the prophets), Ketuvim (writings)

Question 13

talmud

Answer 13

oral law ,commentary by early rabbis on Torah
says how to interpret it and apply to everyday life
consists of Mishnah and Gemara (collection of discussions on the Mishnah)

Question 14

Mezuzah

Answer 14

small box containing hand written scrolls of torah
attached to doorpost
touched when walked past as a sign of respect and reminder to obey laws

Question 15

Kohen

Answer 15

descendent of Priests who used to work in the Temple

Question 16

Bar/ Bat mitzvah

Answer 16

son/daughter of law
when a jew is seen to become an adult
can then take responsibility for following law
brings jew closer to God and jewish community

Question 17

minyan

Answer 17

group of 10 adults (male in ortho) that need to be present in order for certain prayers to start

Question 18

betrothal

Answer 18

between engagement and marriage (traditionally lasting 12 months)
couple don’t live together but prepare for future together

Question 19

shiva

Answer 19

second period of mourning
intense 7 days starting on day of burial
prayers said 3 times a day at home
stay at home during this period

Question 20

kaddish

Answer 20

prayer said during shiva
praises god and asks for peace

Question 21

kosher

Answer 21

food that is acceptable to eat
passes jewish dietary laws
eg. animals need to be killed in a specific way

Question 22

trefah

Answer 22

food unacceptable to eat
eg. pigs, horse, lobster, prawn, rodent, camel

Question 23

Rosh hashanah

Answer 23

festival marking start of new year
god judges actions over past year and decides fortune for coming year
remembers God’s creation of the worls

Question 24

~Yom kippur

Answer 24

day of atonement
holiest day in Jewish calendar
God’s judgement is finalised on this day
last chance to repent for any sins

Question 25

Pesach

Answer 25

passover
festival lasting seven/eight days
celebrating Jew’s escape from slavery in Egypt