Daily services and prayer Flashcards
(18 cards)
What do Orthodox Jewish men wear during prayer?
A tallit and tefillin
Some Reform Jews also wear a tallit and tefillin.
What is the central prayer in Jewish worship?
The Amidah
Also known as the ‘standing prayer’.
What is a tallit?
A prayer shawl made from wool or silk with tassels attached to each corner
The shawl symbolizes obedience to God’s word.
What do the tassels on a tallit represent?
The mitzvot
Mitzvot refers to the commandments in Judaism.
What are tefillin?
A pair of small leather boxes containing extracts from the Torah
One is worn on the forehead and the other on the upper arm.
What does wearing tefillin remind Jews of?
To concentrate fully on God during prayer
It emphasizes that prayers should come from the heart.
What are the parts of weekday prayer services in Orthodox synagogues?
Opening prayers, Shema, Amidah, Torah reading, final prayers
Each part contributes to the structure of the service.
What is recited before the Amidah in a prayer service?
The Shema
It is accompanied by blessings.
How is the Amidah prayed?
In silence while standing and facing Jerusalem
It is the core of all Jewish prayer services.
What do the first three blessings of the Amidah do?
Praise God and ask for His mercy
They set the tone for the prayer.
What do the middle thirteen blessings of the Amidah ask for?
God’s help
These blessings are focused on requests for assistance.
What do the final three blessings of the Amidah express?
Thankfulness to God
They include prayers for peace, goodness, kindness, and compassion.
What is the closing prayer of a service called?
Aleinu
It gives praise and thanks to God.
True or False: Communal prayer strengthens the Jewish community.
True
It fosters a sense of belonging and unity.
Fill in the blank: Prayer is important to Jews because it brings Jews closer to _______.
God
Fill in the blank: Prayer helps Jews to remember what their faith is all about and it is a way to _______.
communicate with God
What is one argument for the statement that prayer is more important to Jews than helping to heal the world?
Prayer brings Jews closer to God
This emphasizes the spiritual connection over social action.
What is one argument against the statement that prayer is more important to Jews than helping to heal the world?
Helping to heal the world is a vital expression of faith
This reflects the belief in active participation in improving society.
